tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13574738885394998282018-11-17T18:19:16.419+08:00US TravelsUS Travels is a travel website that document travel stories in the united states and occasionally around the world. Thaddeau II Engalingnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-74144572379352722222018-11-01T14:56:00.003+08:002018-11-01T15:02:25.982+08:00A Walking Tour of Pacific Grove Parks<div style="text-align: justify;">On 23 October 2018, my brother and I took some time off our busy work schedules. That day, we visited the city of Pacific Grove. This quiet city is located in Monterey County along California's central coast.<br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br />Not wanting to spend a fortune, we decided to embark on a walking tour of some of the city's 28 parks. This activity was suggested for visitors in the Pacific Grove <a href="https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJSrUyZY-Ks/W9pbhuctosI/AAAAAAAANu0/-_eIVZ7vsmIl9jcjMpQJ9I9S65p0-lErACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181025_165433_218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A photo-mosaic of my Pacific Grove visit" border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJSrUyZY-Ks/W9pbhuctosI/AAAAAAAANu0/-_eIVZ7vsmIl9jcjMpQJ9I9S65p0-lErACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_20181025_165433_218.jpg" title="A photo-mosaic of my Pacific Grove visit" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo-mosaic of my Pacific Grove visit</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Parking in Pacific Grove</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The first order of the day was to find a good parking spot. While there are many parking spots in Pacific Grove, most of them are limited time spaces. We did find a 24-hour parking lot bounded by 15th Street, Fountain Street, Lighthouse Avenue, and Laurel Street. For more information about parking in Pacific Grove, <a href="https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/visiting/parking" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Courtesy Visit: Pacific Grove Town Hall</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Before we embarked on our walking tour of Pacific Grove parks, we made a courtesy stop at the Pacific Grove town hall. The Pacific Grove town hall was built in the tradition of classical Victorian architecture. It's classic look lives up to the fact that 75% of homes in Pacific Grove are listed in the national registry of historical places. That's 3 in every 4 buildings in this quaint and quiet town. Here's a fun fact: the city has more historical houses per capita than any other city in the state of California.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGl42WwjC_k/W9pXW4sAzSI/AAAAAAAANuc/zeBE50J-BCwT3wp_LACKdRqPiNgYhbcZQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_084434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Town Hall at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGl42WwjC_k/W9pXW4sAzSI/AAAAAAAANuc/zeBE50J-BCwT3wp_LACKdRqPiNgYhbcZQCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_084434.jpg" title="Town Hall at Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Hall at Pacific Grove, California</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">First Stop: Elmarie Dyke Open Space and Chautuaqua Hall&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The Elmarie Dyke Open Space is actually the fifth stop in the Walking Tour of Pacific Grove Parks <a href="http://pacificgrovelibrary.org/sites/default/files/general-documents/parks/map-walking-tour-pg-parks.pdf" target="_blank">map</a>. We made this the first stop of our Pacific Grove parks walking tour since it was closest to our parking spot. This open space was actually built to enhance the historical Chautuaqua Hall. Chautuaqua Hall was built by the Pacific Grove Retreat Association in 1881. The building is a listed as a state historical landmark. It hosts many dance classes to this day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvCkf5WuewM/W9pWUbnsZmI/AAAAAAAANuE/zcdj5_mifqgNvBu5UIr1LosL6YQbTEeIgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_085720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chautuaqua Hall at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvCkf5WuewM/W9pWUbnsZmI/AAAAAAAANuE/zcdj5_mifqgNvBu5UIr1LosL6YQbTEeIgCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_085720.jpg" title="Chautuaqua Hall at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chautuaqua Hall&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Elmarie Dyke Open Space truly enhances the aesthetic appeal of Chautuaqua Hall. On the day we visited, several flowering plants were in full bloom. The rustic benches and gazebo gives the park an old world feel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQtsyXlBgNM/W9pWxzSz8wI/AAAAAAAANuQ/u3K5c6W5FmoSdZdgbALIEaTindMZcAeHACKgBGAs/s1600/20181027_175732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Elmarie Dyke Open Space at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQtsyXlBgNM/W9pWxzSz8wI/AAAAAAAANuQ/u3K5c6W5FmoSdZdgbALIEaTindMZcAeHACKgBGAs/s320/20181027_175732.jpg" title="Elmarie Dyke Open Space at Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmarie Dyke Open Space&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptF5LnIQFo8/W9qWZUZ3YGI/AAAAAAAANvA/IgXvxE9xRrkZjB2WfHpSg6tu-mioh4kDwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_090408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Elmarie Dyke Open Space at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ptF5LnIQFo8/W9qWZUZ3YGI/AAAAAAAANvA/IgXvxE9xRrkZjB2WfHpSg6tu-mioh4kDwCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_090408.jpg" title="Elmarie Dyke Open Space at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmarie Dyke Open Space&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Second Stop: Caledonia Park&nbsp;</h3><div>Caledonia Park was but a simple community park. It had a children's playground, a well-manicured grassy area, public restrooms, and the Thomas Richard Stillwell basketball court.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scUBZt_5p_Q/W9pbDFBAU1I/AAAAAAAANuo/E3m_hieYfx8x2Z7nOnv_oyWRKqCfGWsAACKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_093144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Caledonia Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scUBZt_5p_Q/W9pbDFBAU1I/AAAAAAAANuo/E3m_hieYfx8x2Z7nOnv_oyWRKqCfGWsAACKgBGAs/s320/20181023_093144.jpg" title="Caledonia Park at Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caledonia Park&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5AhpBoVMbs/W9pbO6B-Y1I/AAAAAAAANus/y-mLHedvL3020zBq4kR9Kb5Wl4LcrwDRgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_093208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Caledonia Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n5AhpBoVMbs/W9pbO6B-Y1I/AAAAAAAANus/y-mLHedvL3020zBq4kR9Kb5Wl4LcrwDRgCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_093208.jpg" title="Caledonia Park at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caledonia Park&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Third Stop: Chase Park</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Chase Park is a simple park with trees and benches. By this time, I am amazed with how much greenery there is around Pacific Grove. Many of the parks are actually simple gardens or mini-forests. But a lot of them is a refreshing retreat from the urban jungle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdIKsDZy-Ao/W9qW4EWQS3I/AAAAAAAANvI/sK05MgLY4dcbqXRwzLwQu1uopr5fVQqHwCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_094806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chase Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdIKsDZy-Ao/W9qW4EWQS3I/AAAAAAAANvI/sK05MgLY4dcbqXRwzLwQu1uopr5fVQqHwCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_094806.jpg" title="Chase Park at Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chase Park&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Fourth Stop: Lovers' Point Park</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Among the bigger parks and more frequented parks in Pacific Grove is Lovers Point Park along the ocean. It's not really hard to figure out why people love to visit this park. For one, the ocean breeze and views is a real draw. A lot of amenities are also available in the space. There are businesses that offer tourist activities. Food is available in various stalls and cafes.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59D2sUbZl_U/W9qXy-0apZI/AAAAAAAANvU/t1A3RqXEEBs0sxlrvSAF9cxWVQgj6f2WQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_101643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lovers Point Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59D2sUbZl_U/W9qXy-0apZI/AAAAAAAANvU/t1A3RqXEEBs0sxlrvSAF9cxWVQgj6f2WQCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_101643.jpg" title="Lovers Point Park at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovers Point Park&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Fifth Stop: Perkins Park&nbsp;</h3><div>Perkins Park is best described as a landscaped garden along the coastal trail in Pacific Grove.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_NLZqtWH9g/W9qYOfuh3lI/AAAAAAAANvc/lGRy8ar8u5MfCSAw_RvZHpXrKIwHQH7sgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_114105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Perkins Park in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_NLZqtWH9g/W9qYOfuh3lI/AAAAAAAANvc/lGRy8ar8u5MfCSAw_RvZHpXrKIwHQH7sgCKgBGAs/s320/20181023_114105.jpg" title="Perkins Park in Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Perkins Park&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Sixth Stop: Esplanade Park&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Esplanade Park is another of those parks with just benches and trees. This park though has good views of the ocean. It is also a very quiet spot in town.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvn5rig9whc/W9qZskcdTdI/AAAAAAAANvo/C9ofX_RGVewMO-pIIZa5LV_KLk9ayKGOACKgBGAs/s1600/20181023_120717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Esplanade Park in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yvn5rig9whc/W9qZskcdTdI/AAAAAAAANvo/C9ofX_RGVewMO-pIIZa5LV_KLk9ayKGOACKgBGAs/s320/20181023_120717.jpg" title="Esplanade Park in Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esplanade Park&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Seventh Stop: Point Pinos Lighthouse</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the west coast of the United States of America. The lighthouse has been in operation since 1855. The Alcatraz Island Lighthouse is actually older by 8 months. However, it was replaced by a military prison in 1909. It was unfortunate that we visited on a Tuesday. Public access to the lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.<br /><br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Eighth Stop: Railroad Way&nbsp;</h3><div>From the Point Pinos Lighthouse, we proceeded to the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-Way Trail. From 1889 to 1971, the Southern Pacific Railroad operated the Del Monte Express train service. The route was from San Francisco to Pacific Grove.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a funny moment midway through the trail. This was when we discovered a trail caution. The sign indicated that mountain lions have been seen around the trail in the past. Somehow, this explained the presence of many deer in the area. Deer is a prey of the mountain lion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMIebVobykk/W9qb1e3IX0I/AAAAAAAANv0/f23e60sEGoQAPLdhZIXSw3LoSWr9x3AFgCKgBGAs/s1600/received_298728784282752.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Midway through the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-way trail in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMIebVobykk/W9qb1e3IX0I/AAAAAAAANv0/f23e60sEGoQAPLdhZIXSw3LoSWr9x3AFgCKgBGAs/s320/received_298728784282752.jpeg" title="Midway through the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-way trail in Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midway through the Southern Pacific Railroad Right-of-way trail&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Ninth Stop: Monarch Grove Sanctuary&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Pacific Grove is dubbed as "Butterfly Town, USA". This is because the city is an overwintering site for monarch butterflies. The town's Monarch Grove Sanctuary is actually a dedicated space for monarch butterflies. Too bad, we haven't seen a lot of monarch butterflies during our visit. We've been told the peak butterfly population would be around Thanksgiving.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elPAXKQPXvQ/W9qeaCwQ8iI/AAAAAAAANwU/1cMN6I0Y_pc_pQInzCCOPDkZ3-89_uoVQCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-10-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Monarch Grove Sanctuary at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-elPAXKQPXvQ/W9qeaCwQ8iI/AAAAAAAANwU/1cMN6I0Y_pc_pQInzCCOPDkZ3-89_uoVQCKgBGAs/s320/2018-10-25.jpg" title="Monarch Grove Sanctuary at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarch Grove Sanctuary&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Tenth Stop: Jewell Park&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Jewell Park was our final stop at Pacific Grove on October 23. The park features a gazebo, restrooms, and a well-manicured lawn.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwVbIy-oDbE/W9qcj5l3bAI/AAAAAAAANv8/n3EtauJMlWcTsKQx8vyjuD4_dumHDJtyACKgBGAs/s1600/20181027_175158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jewell Park at Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwVbIy-oDbE/W9qcj5l3bAI/AAAAAAAANv8/n3EtauJMlWcTsKQx8vyjuD4_dumHDJtyACKgBGAs/s320/20181027_175158.jpg" title="Jewell Park at Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewell Park&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Right across Jewell Park was the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. We visited the museum prior to our final stops at the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce and Jewell Park. The museum featured an outdoor garden, and various displays of flora, fauna, and local history.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOdZWktDCrg/W9qiG1fmVaI/AAAAAAAANw8/_j3OTN0k0S4GB62_cRjmIBG-pEjq8Co9wCKgBGAs/s1600/received_2286257571445772.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOdZWktDCrg/W9qiG1fmVaI/AAAAAAAANw8/_j3OTN0k0S4GB62_cRjmIBG-pEjq8Co9wCKgBGAs/s320/received_2286257571445772.jpeg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facade of the museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo_pFvFKYFY/W9qiG5MpZlI/AAAAAAAANw8/NWr3orPiieQpDGaaQvjqrM-40F5TC78SgCKgBGAs/s1600/received_2495120740499830.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo_pFvFKYFY/W9qiG5MpZlI/AAAAAAAANw8/NWr3orPiieQpDGaaQvjqrM-40F5TC78SgCKgBGAs/s320/received_2495120740499830.jpeg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Az3DbW_L7Jo/W9qiG_i15hI/AAAAAAAANw8/zM2ZopEmU9c6prlv_6Ie2QK8n9sWefS5gCKgBGAs/s1600/received_248895259127168.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Az3DbW_L7Jo/W9qiG_i15hI/AAAAAAAANw8/zM2ZopEmU9c6prlv_6Ie2QK8n9sWefS5gCKgBGAs/s320/received_248895259127168.jpeg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain lion replica inside the museum</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcX-UxL5aCU/W9qioBaXFMI/AAAAAAAANxE/y1ZYepJAQlURSN6n-QLoqfvobthdIPaswCKgBGAs/s1600/received_257075611628303.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcX-UxL5aCU/W9qioBaXFMI/AAAAAAAANxE/y1ZYepJAQlURSN6n-QLoqfvobthdIPaswCKgBGAs/s320/received_257075611628303.jpeg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzly bear display at the museum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbZYcczv2rQ/W9qioGaoAiI/AAAAAAAANxE/sHcgo2ST4PUiKxWd4CA3xcg_gHfnyjUlgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181027_174625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbZYcczv2rQ/W9qioGaoAiI/AAAAAAAANxE/sHcgo2ST4PUiKxWd4CA3xcg_gHfnyjUlgCKgBGAs/s320/20181027_174625.jpg" title="Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor garden at the museum</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Eleventh Stop: Andy Jacobsen Park&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">On the second day of our Pacific Grove mini-vacation, we stopped at 3 more parks. The first stop was at the Andy Jacobsen Park. This was the suggested starting point of the walking tour map. A very simple park with a single bench facing the ocean. We couldn't find the granite marker described on the walking tour guide.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e66GqkUXHVk/W9qfKFxFltI/AAAAAAAANwc/ZbJM9J0ww_8HB_EQtOVzEIbyabi2VPrWQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181024_101856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Andy Jacobsen Park in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e66GqkUXHVk/W9qfKFxFltI/AAAAAAAANwc/ZbJM9J0ww_8HB_EQtOVzEIbyabi2VPrWQCKgBGAs/s320/20181024_101856.jpg" title="Andy Jacobsen Park in Pacific Grove California" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Jacobsen Park&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Twelfth Stop: Berwick Park</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">A wide grassy area that is well-maintained characterizes Berwick Park. A few sculpture pieces also adorn the park.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6BenAArkPw/W9qgACX1sMI/AAAAAAAANwo/tziWLNXADsoHv3EunmxecWUyKrk8ity1gCKgBGAs/s1600/20181024_102607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Berwick Park in Pacific Grove California" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6BenAArkPw/W9qgACX1sMI/AAAAAAAANwo/tziWLNXADsoHv3EunmxecWUyKrk8ity1gCKgBGAs/s320/20181024_102607.jpg" title="Berwick Park in Pacific Grove California" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berwick Park</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Thirteenth Stop: Greenwood Park</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Before we returned to Lovers Point Park, we made a stop at Greenwood Park. Greenwood Park is undeveloped land. It's main feature is a old wooden footbridge over a creek or ravine.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DuRS5aDl5V4/W9qgmqTk3AI/AAAAAAAANww/vCyTQ0-qVSU-DGpJeox05H7DPx1uaFfHQCKgBGAs/s1600/20181024_103937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Greenwood Park" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DuRS5aDl5V4/W9qgmqTk3AI/AAAAAAAANww/vCyTQ0-qVSU-DGpJeox05H7DPx1uaFfHQCKgBGAs/s320/20181024_103937.jpg" title="Greenwood Park" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Greenwood Park</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Other Stops at Pacific Grove</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">During our visit to Pacific Grove, we also visited the Steinbeck cottage along 11th Street, Steinbeck's grandmother's house, The Beach House Cafe, and The Grill at Lovers Point. We also marveled at some church buildings and many of the historical houses in town.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/YC0oc9TTpU8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0Pacific Grove, CA, USA36.6177374 -121.9166215000000236.5667599 -121.99730250000002 36.668714900000005 -121.83594050000002http://www.ustravels.com/2018/11/pacificgrovecaparks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-9128099753251406242017-09-25T04:55:00.001+08:002017-10-30T17:06:14.671+08:00Aki's Food To Go: A Filipino Restaurant in Manteca<div style="text-align: justify;">We chanced upon a humble Filipino grocery and cafeteria in Manteca one time. The place is called <b>Aki's Food to Go</b> and Oriental Grocery. It's probably the only Filipino food place in Manteca. This was the second restaurant I ate at in Manteca. The first one was at <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/09/new-china-restaurant-in-manteca-ca.html" target="_blank">New China Restaurant</a>.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">For early dinner, we ordered two combination plates with 2 entrees each. Each had a huge serving of steamed rice on it. For the entrees, we got pork sisig, mechado, inihaw na baboy, and igado. Ilocano influences are evident in the dishes that they serve. After we ate, we also ordered more pork sisig, inihaw na baboy, and pork adobo for take out. We also bought some Philippine brand chocolates from their grocery.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is a notice at the place that their menu changes daily. One constant is Crispy Pata on Saturdays. You do have to order them ahead and just pick it up on Saturday. The price for their crispy pata is $14.99 per order.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Their pork sisig is really good. The meat have bigger slices than the usual sisig I know. There's a great blend of flavors from sweet onions and the vinegar in it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGBVBRiu3bE/WcgZS6_vtjI/AAAAAAAALTQ/KXhHmeXULHYJAOR2TgvvETYvQmIUt2YnACEwYBhgL/s1600/22008076_471549519876416_1234635030385110612_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="pork sisig at Aki's Food to Go" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGBVBRiu3bE/WcgZS6_vtjI/AAAAAAAALTQ/KXhHmeXULHYJAOR2TgvvETYvQmIUt2YnACEwYBhgL/s640/22008076_471549519876416_1234635030385110612_n.jpg" title="Aki's Food to Go in Manteca" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork sisig</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The igado was also good. The sauce went well with the pork liver and meat in the dish.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhdsYBrOUME/WcgZSRe-ZsI/AAAAAAAALTM/uiymHLD7SeQIxPvUiWxGfw410t265xtCgCEwYBhgL/s1600/22007463_471549496543085_3962499933517477470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="igado at Aki's Food to Go" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhdsYBrOUME/WcgZSRe-ZsI/AAAAAAAALTM/uiymHLD7SeQIxPvUiWxGfw410t265xtCgCEwYBhgL/s640/22007463_471549496543085_3962499933517477470_n.jpg" title="Aki's Food to Go in Manteca" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Igado</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was nothing special about their inihaw na baboy and mechado. I only got to taste the pork adobo when we got home. But oh boy! It was delicious.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsH2xH2DmRg/WcgZSGGAGeI/AAAAAAAALTI/ufPIdavaDos1D3uyYtH3cBSFYzjF-5RGgCEwYBhgL/s1600/21768495_471549473209754_4558843004124353315_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mechado at Aki's Food to Go" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsH2xH2DmRg/WcgZSGGAGeI/AAAAAAAALTI/ufPIdavaDos1D3uyYtH3cBSFYzjF-5RGgCEwYBhgL/s640/21768495_471549473209754_4558843004124353315_n.jpg" title="Aki's Food to Go in Manteca" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mechado</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The chocolates we bought from the grocery though seemed like it's been there for a while. They probably don't move stuff from the grocery fast.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Contact Information</h3><div>Address: 368 North Main Street, Manteca, California 95336</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Akis-Food-To-Go-Oriental-Grocery-1405621269684247/" target="_blank"><b>Aki's Food to Go</b> and Oriental Grocery</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Telephone number: 209 629 8280</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Have you tried the Filipino dishes at <b>Aki's Food to Go</b>&nbsp;in Manteca? How was your experience. You can tell us in the comments below.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/f6Mcbgt9N8Q" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/09/akis-food-to-go-in-manteca.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-46664564832189475512017-09-25T04:29:00.003+08:002017-10-30T17:05:42.582+08:00Best Lumpia: A Filipino Restaurant in Stockton, California<div style="text-align: justify;">There's but a few Filipino restaurants operating in <a href="http://www.visitstockton.org/" target="_blank">Stockton, California</a>. One of the more popular is <b>Best Lumpia</b>. This restaurant is located at the Thornton Plaza along Thronton Road.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was introduced to this place because the family frequently ordered their party trays whenever there is an occasion to celebrate. The usual party trays they order are the pork barbecue, pork menudo, and pancit.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We dropped by one time to check out what else they had to offer. The best way to sample various dishes at one place is to order combination plates. We had two of those specials during lunch. 1 plate had 3 pieces of lumpia, a cup of steam rice, pancit, and pork barbecue. The other plate had inihaw na baboy, pancit, steam rice, and dinuguan.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-A1Z3L5Qmo/WcgRNnxj6xI/AAAAAAAALSs/xrFH55J0i_ARaHhavKZCZP_DUNLaegykQCEwYBhgL/s1600/21765152_471549769876391_1280325674742223625_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="combination plate from Best Lumpia" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-A1Z3L5Qmo/WcgRNnxj6xI/AAAAAAAALSs/xrFH55J0i_ARaHhavKZCZP_DUNLaegykQCEwYBhgL/s640/21765152_471549769876391_1280325674742223625_n.jpg" title="Best Lumpia in Stockton" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regular combo, $7.99</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Prior to dining at <b>Best Lumpia</b>, I have already been a big fan of their pork barbecue. The closest thing that comes to it is the beef barbecue from Ono Hawaiian. I expected the lumpia to be good since this seems to be their specialty as their name suggests. And yes, it is good. The pancit they serve is what we know as bam-i. Cebuanos love this kind of noodle dish. It had generous amounts of shrimp and meat in it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsttg644abQ/WcgRNYx2THI/AAAAAAAALSo/Pt5TGeDqDBMKuD0JEiaebIr6KTqkxUxQACEwYBhgL/s1600/22007373_471549789876389_2281736586904408000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="combination plate from Best Lumpia" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsttg644abQ/WcgRNYx2THI/AAAAAAAALSo/Pt5TGeDqDBMKuD0JEiaebIr6KTqkxUxQACEwYBhgL/s640/22007373_471549789876389_2281736586904408000_n.jpg" title="Best Lumpia in Stockton" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double entree combo, $8.75</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The inihaw na baboy or roasted pork is just like the pork barbecue minus the barbecue sauce. The dinuguan was meaty. I tasted more meat than the pig's organs in it. I'll do a double take on that. It did taste good. Yet my taste buds were also looking for that familiar taste of pig's organs in dinuguan.<br /><br /><h4>Best Lumpia Party Trays and Take Out Orders</h4>When ordering party trays, you may have to order in advance. A lot of people order them and you may need to order days ahead at times. My family usually orders the pork barbecue and menudo from <b>Best Lumpia</b>. Other dishes in their menu are pork adobo, chicken adobo, sweet and sour dishes, chop suey, kaldereta, and pinakbet. They also have a lot of variety in their lumpia. It can either be pork, beef, chicken, vegetable or shrimp. I also heard the fresh lumpia is good here. That's one thing I want to try next.<br /><br />My sister also took home some lechon kawali from <b>Best Lumpia </b>one time. I must say it was really good. The crunch in their lechon kawali is not only limited to the rind. Even the meat itself is crunchy. The portions at <b>Best Lumpia </b>are usually smaller than what I'm used to in other California restaurants so you might want to take note of that when ordering.<br /><br /><h2>Location and Contact Information of Best Lumpia</h2><div>Address: 9305 Thornton Plaza Suite J, Thornton Road, Stockton, California 95209</div><div>Telephone Number: 209 952 8300</div><div>Fax Number: 209 952 1395</div><div>Business Hours:</div><div><ul><li>Monday to Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.</li><li>Sunday: 12 noon to 7 p.m.</li></ul></div>Have you tried the dishes at <b>Best Lumpia</b>? Which ones are your favorites? You may tell us in the comments below.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/JakGDjZlakI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/09/best-lumpia-in-stockton.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-28352591858596195992017-09-14T04:17:00.001+08:002017-10-30T17:08:15.593+08:00New China Restaurant: Hole in the Wall in Manteca, CA<div style="text-align: justify;">We were in Manteca to fetch some water. Then we decided to check out a local restaurant for late lunch. One restaurant had really good reviews on both Google and Yelp. So we decided to check it out.<br /><br /><b>New China Restaurant</b> is located at the Marketplace shopping complex along Yosemite Avenue. The restaurant is a Chinese restaurant. But people were raving about their sushi. Sushi of course is Japanese. I'm a sucker for Japanese food and you can imagine my excitement.<br /><br />We ordered some combination plates and prawn tempura. I had a combination plate with fried rice, deep fried shrimps, and sweet and sour pork. My brother had one with chow mien, fried rice and deep fried shrimp.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0NFIqT0r84/WbmPG1J1zCI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/VUKhEGYNkBAAtalUqRaU4SgNrP9ug7ApwCLcBGAs/s1600/21248307_463041484060553_5782343539767638768_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Combination plate from New China Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0NFIqT0r84/WbmPG1J1zCI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/VUKhEGYNkBAAtalUqRaU4SgNrP9ug7ApwCLcBGAs/s640/21248307_463041484060553_5782343539767638768_o.jpg" title="New China Restaurant in Manteca " width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet and sour pork, fried rice, and deep fried shrimps: $6.75</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a name='more'></a>The fried rice was good. The sweet and sour pork dish is a gem. It's really good. And I'd definitely go back for it. The chow mien had lots of vegetables on it. My brother didn't love it as much as I did though.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUgMTUxcEwg/WbmQJPUaQmI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/G1-YZRDzs9gFAyTcFwCmthl-zp-JG9csQCLcBGAs/s1600/21272696_463041424060559_7003575163167502814_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Combination plate from New China Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iUgMTUxcEwg/WbmQJPUaQmI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/G1-YZRDzs9gFAyTcFwCmthl-zp-JG9csQCLcBGAs/s640/21272696_463041424060559_7003575163167502814_o.jpg" title="New China Restaurant in Manteca " width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep fried shrimps, fried rice, and chow mien: $6.50</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The prawn tempura was below expectations. The same goes with the deep fried shrimp. Both were too oily. They did give it the right crunch. But we could taste more flour than prawns or shrimps. It felt like eating those shrimp-flavored junk foods.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpygXawj6JA/WbmQNqWGCzI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/H7v5xwFM7tIbMi5A6MjG1FkghbJpLxFvACLcBGAs/s1600/21192693_463041520727216_576753019006135021_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Prawn tempura from New China Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpygXawj6JA/WbmQNqWGCzI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/H7v5xwFM7tIbMi5A6MjG1FkghbJpLxFvACLcBGAs/s640/21192693_463041520727216_576753019006135021_n.jpg" title="New China Restaurant in Manteca " width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prawn tempura: $7.95</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On hindsight, we should have ordered sushi. After all, it was what people were writing good reviews about. But I guess we were just true lovers of tempura. We always order tempura when we see it on the menu.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Location and Contact Information</h2>Address: 1457 West Yosemite Avenue, Manteca, California 95337<br />Telephone Number: 209 825 1517<br />Website: <a href="http://www.newchinamanteca.com/" target="_blank"><b>New China Restaurant</b></a><br />Facebook Page: <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewChinaManteca" target="_blank">New China Restaurant</a></b><br /><br />Have you tried the oriental dishes at <b>New China Restaurant </b>in Manteca? Which ones are your favorites? YOu may tell us in the comments below.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/MI5zBF7WmTs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/09/new-china-restaurant-in-manteca-ca.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-62710328482737741642017-09-02T04:40:00.000+08:002018-11-01T15:01:52.425+08:00Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Monterrey: Where It All Started<div style="text-align: justify;">Did you enjoy watching the movie Forrest Gump? I'm sure I did. You'd be amazed that the 1994 box office hit even inspired a whole restaurant chain that now operates in more than 9 countries worldwide. You read that right, <a href="http://www.bubbagump.com/" target="_blank"><b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></a> operates 44 stores worldwide as of this writing. I was fortunate enough to dine at their Monterey, California restaurant where it all started in 1996. This was when I went with family after we spent the day in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Everything at <b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b> screams about the movie. Their dishes are named after characters in the film. When you need the attention of the hosts, just change your table sign so it reads "Stop, Forrest, Stop". Otherwise just put the sign at "Run, Forrest, Run". And the interior decoration is dominated with stuff you see in the movie.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHHsLWi8qN0/WbmUKVxxdAI/AAAAAAAAJ4E/qon9pAqnq0Y9s08pm5WlzeWokLHtvqhrACLcBGAs/s1600/21034718_460127751018593_3036000601047783891_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Run Forrest Run at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHHsLWi8qN0/WbmUKVxxdAI/AAAAAAAAJ4E/qon9pAqnq0Y9s08pm5WlzeWokLHtvqhrACLcBGAs/s640/21034718_460127751018593_3036000601047783891_n.jpg" title="Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Monterey CA" width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">How to grab the attention of the hosts at&nbsp;<b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As it's name suggests, <b>Bubba Gump</b>&nbsp;<b>Shrimp Co.</b> serves many shrimp dishes. They do have other seafood dishes as well as a variety of meat dishes. Those of you who know me know that I'm a sucker for seafood dishes specially the ones with shrimps, squid, and crab on it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Our Appetizers at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</h2><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Bubba's Far Out Dip</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">It wasn't really that far out. Tasted like <i>laing </i>from the Bicol region of the Philippines. Surprisingly, it went well with the tortilla chips. But I understand this is kinda different for some people. If you have a spirit for adventure then you can definitely go for this one.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5mh8nYcFHs/WbmUYdcIZ9I/AAAAAAAAJ4I/mNowSVO96uU2j1d1yCLOsBDz1rhvwwh7wCLcBGAs/s1600/21032580_460127701018598_7672303179560855419_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bubba's far out dip with tortilla chips at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5mh8nYcFHs/WbmUYdcIZ9I/AAAAAAAAJ4I/mNowSVO96uU2j1d1yCLOsBDz1rhvwwh7wCLcBGAs/s640/21032580_460127701018598_7672303179560855419_n.jpg" title="Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Monterey CA" width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Bubba's far out dip with tortilla chips&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Calamari</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The usual squid rings. Nothing really special here. And yes, I'll order it again the next time so you know it tastes good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Entrees</h2><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Shrimp and Veggie Skewers&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Shrimps on a skewer along with red onions, zucchini slices, and tomatoes. This is a good one from the grill. Nothing fancy but I loved the blend of eating shrimps with tomatoes and onions. The tomatoes and the red onions makes an otherwise bland grilled shrimp taste a lot better.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPsQh2Xl-yI/WbmUjzfcAXI/AAAAAAAAJ4M/R04C34FFe0oSvZJXpuPnYf4o36r-gcVbACLcBGAs/s1600/21083555_460127661018602_6412580886217447570_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shrimp and veggie skewers at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPsQh2Xl-yI/WbmUjzfcAXI/AAAAAAAAJ4M/R04C34FFe0oSvZJXpuPnYf4o36r-gcVbACLcBGAs/s640/21083555_460127661018602_6412580886217447570_o.jpg" title="Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Monterey CA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Shrimp and veggie skewers&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Grilled Seafood Trio&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">A sampler of three dishes in the menu: Bourbon Mahi-Mahi, Shrimp New Orleans, and Shrimp and Veggie Skewers. Recommended when you want to try more than just one kind of dish. Just delicious! I'm very selective about fish dishes and this one tickled my taste buds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajtx-aEUj6E/WbmUr5CLPVI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/cOgs-supuUQKQZGWsItpOeYlDLv60c_0ACLcBGAs/s1600/21014145_460127637685271_9139351093415876669_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Grilled Seafood Trio at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajtx-aEUj6E/WbmUr5CLPVI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/cOgs-supuUQKQZGWsItpOeYlDLv60c_0ACLcBGAs/s640/21014145_460127637685271_9139351093415876669_o.jpg" title="Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Monterey CA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Grilled Seafood Trio&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Fried Chicken</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">I love fried chicken! <b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b> just gave me one more reason to keep loving fried chicken. Right crunch, delicious batter, amazing flavor. Don't mind the corn cob but that's a bonus. The gravy is good too. They are one of the few places here that I know serve gravy with fried chicken.&nbsp;<i><span style="color: red;">Note: This item is not on their regular menu</span>.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WuHBPE3bks/WbmU2XyxTmI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/rF7XGSRDzLcrenExpP9IKGtxJFhEZbU6QCLcBGAs/s1600/21013916_460127557685279_4497010312246695159_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="fried chicken at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WuHBPE3bks/WbmU2XyxTmI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/rF7XGSRDzLcrenExpP9IKGtxJFhEZbU6QCLcBGAs/s640/21013916_460127557685279_4497010312246695159_o.jpg" title="Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Monterey CA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried chicken&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Surf and Turf</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">About 7 or 8 grilled medium-sized shrimps on a skewer, French fries, and tender fall-off-the bone baby back ribs with a sweet and sour glaze. Everything sounded right. I was never wrong about ordering this. Did I say the meat was falling off the bone? I literally meant that. The meat was really that tender. Reminds me of my favorite baby back ribs at Casa Verde in Cebu.&nbsp;<i><span style="color: red;">Note: This item is not on their regular menu</span>.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTs_-YIh11U/WbmU-vcheLI/AAAAAAAAJ4c/TK1Luu-wmxccrzzTGs0Nkun4_A_dHIpWwCLcBGAs/s1600/21015957_460127537685281_6974167670111416129_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Surf and turf at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTs_-YIh11U/WbmU-vcheLI/AAAAAAAAJ4c/TK1Luu-wmxccrzzTGs0Nkun4_A_dHIpWwCLcBGAs/s640/21015957_460127537685281_6974167670111416129_o.jpg" title="Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Monterey CA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surf and turf at <b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you dined at&nbsp;<b>Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.</b>? Do you like the Forrest Gump theme of the experience? What were your favorite dishes? You can tell us in the comments section below.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/ilQD4HMiNB0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/09/bubba-gump-shrimp-co-monterey-ca-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-89188705680799860332017-08-25T16:04:00.001+08:002017-10-30T17:11:19.863+08:00Papaya Grill: A Filipino Restaurant in Brentwood, CA<div style="text-align: justify;">I came across another Filipino Restaurant in Northern California. The name:&nbsp;<b>Papaya Grill</b>. It is located at a sprawling commercial complex in the <a href="https://www.brentwoodca.gov/" target="_blank">city of Brentwood</a>. I came here after I was invited for a job interview at nearby Oakley.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><h2>Breakfast at Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant</h2><div><div style="text-align: justify;">I came for brunch. It was basically high noon and lunchtime but I haven't eaten breakfast yet that day. Besides I was craving for the typical Filipino breakfast fare. It was a Wednesday. A lucky day for me perhaps because breakfast meals drop $2 off their prices on Wednesdays. From the typical $8.50 price, it went down to $6.50. I ordered the&nbsp;<i>longsilog </i>meal.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_imHwnGOs_U/WbmTE5mx3rI/AAAAAAAAJ30/MqEQH8gDP8k7OBwyFmrh4I0cbgVIdLfSQCEwYBhgL/s1600/21078420_460127344351967_4040083439456715391_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Longsilog at Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_imHwnGOs_U/WbmTE5mx3rI/AAAAAAAAJ30/MqEQH8gDP8k7OBwyFmrh4I0cbgVIdLfSQCEwYBhgL/s640/21078420_460127344351967_4040083439456715391_n.jpg" title="Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant in Brentwood CA" width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Longsilog</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a name='more'></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is what I loved the most during my visit. The <i>longganiza </i>was not as delicious as the ones I have from the Philippines. But I'm not complaining as the serving sizes were large. Just enough for my big appetite. And hey, it tastes good nonetheless. It just tasted different in a pleasant way. I did wish they put a little more salt on the scrambled eggs.</div><div><br /></div><h2>Daily Specials&nbsp;</h2><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Depending on the day of the week, <b>Papaya Grill</b> serves daily specials. You do not see these specials on their menu. On the day I walked in, their specials for the day were sizzling <i>gambas</i> and pork <i>sinigang</i>. I ordered the pork <i>sinigang</i>. Unfortunately, they ran out of it. In fact, they had no soup dish available for the day. Funny how that happens and they still listed the item on the board as a special for the day.</div></div><div><br /></div><h2>Lechon Dishes</h2><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Papaya Grill</b> sure knows Filipinos love <i>lechon</i>. Their menu is dominated with lots of <i>lechon</i> dishes. I ordered <i>lechon kawali</i> and <i>lechon kare-kare</i>.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdJXn2W4DUQ/WbmTE6sOXeI/AAAAAAAAJ3w/NjJ4wUoMPh4cehkz3skJxQV0jbAXhnwLwCEwYBhgL/s1600/21032419_460127317685303_3147641090489171038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lechon kawali at Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdJXn2W4DUQ/WbmTE6sOXeI/AAAAAAAAJ3w/NjJ4wUoMPh4cehkz3skJxQV0jbAXhnwLwCEwYBhgL/s640/21032419_460127317685303_3147641090489171038_n.jpg" title="Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant in Brentwood CA" width="358" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lechon kawali</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <i>lechon kawali</i> had the right crunch to it. The portion size is good for 2-3 persons. There's a need for them to perfect this dish though. I still sensed the meat's pungent odor on the pork dish. You can buy this at a decent price of $12.50.</div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcTMfPoOn9c/WbmTEwNXlVI/AAAAAAAAJ34/8jBiegLidvEdlGYecNY_TQkUh6wz9GPFQCEwYBhgL/s1600/21077498_460127294351972_2954695919473542266_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lechon kare kare at Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcTMfPoOn9c/WbmTEwNXlVI/AAAAAAAAJ34/8jBiegLidvEdlGYecNY_TQkUh6wz9GPFQCEwYBhgL/s640/21077498_460127294351972_2954695919473542266_n.jpg" title="Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant in Brentwood CA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lechon kare-kare</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <i>lechon kare-kare</i> was the usual Filipino curry dish. It had the delicious peanut sauce, an array of vegetables, and a side of <i>bagoong alamang </i>or<i>&nbsp;</i>shrimp paste. Only it had <i>lechon kawali</i> as meat accompaniment instead of the traditional ox tripe or oxtail. On a personal note, I'd prefer to order this instead of the <i>lechon kawali.&nbsp;</i>You get <i>lechon kawali</i> in this dish anyway. And probably because of more spices, I didn't sense a hint of the pungent odor I had with the <i>lechon kawali. </i>You can buy this at $14.95 for one order. One order can feed 2-3 people.<br /><br />Have you tried the dishes at <b>Papaya Grill Filipino Restaurant</b>? What are your favorite dishes? You may tell us in the comments section below.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/xnNHsgSD-Lw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/papaya-grill-filipino-restaurant-brentwood-ca.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-86681019188686302522017-08-08T11:30:00.000+08:002017-10-30T17:12:52.506+08:00Inay Filipino Kitchen in San Francisco, California<div style="text-align: justify;">There's an unassuming Filipino food bar at the Metreon by the Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, California.&nbsp;<b>Inay Filipino Kitchen</b> is sure to bring back good old memories of a doting mother. One whose way of showing she cares is through her cooking. And that's what <b>Inay Filipino Kitchen</b> is about: Pinoy comfort food.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was hungry after my scheduled interview during one of my visits to San Francisco. I made sure to try some Filipino food in San Francisco. I chanced upon <b>Inay Filipino Kitchen</b> which showed up nearest from my location on search.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most Filipino restaurants that I know only serve dishes whose origins are from Luzon. To my surprise, the first thing I noticed is bam-i. Bam-i is a noodle dish largely unheard of in Luzon. But it is popular in the Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in Cebu. Their menu is also diversified with dishes mostly from Luzon and a few from the Visayas. They have pork sisig, boneless lechon liempo, grilled bangus belly, pork sinigang, chicken tinola, chicken adobo, pork adobo, and pork menudo.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I ordered their 2-entree combination plate : pancit bam-i, grilled bangus belly, and Bicol express. Cost of that is USD 11.95 prior to taxes being applied. For my big appetite, I couldn't finish it. The serving is good for at least 2 people with an average appetite.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4jlOmgINd4/WbmWf5J3EfI/AAAAAAAAJ4o/K9APkQOuf54rGHhfYToIqSFwrXmPj30tgCLcBGAs/s1600/20170803_165908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="combination plate from Inay Filipino Kitchen" border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4jlOmgINd4/WbmWf5J3EfI/AAAAAAAAJ4o/K9APkQOuf54rGHhfYToIqSFwrXmPj30tgCLcBGAs/s640/20170803_165908.jpg" title="Inay Filipino Kitchen in San Francisco CA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled bangus belly, pancit bam-i, Bicol express</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The taste? The bam-i wasn't extraordinary as I've had better. The Bicol express is good. It is not as spicy as I expected it to be. But just enough spice to still retain the characteristics of the Bicolano dish. The grilled bangus belly is amazing. It was cooked just right with the right blend of spices. I did not even need vinegar and soy sauce for it.<br /><br />Check them out: <a href="http://www.inayfilipinokitchen.com/home.html" target="_blank"><b>Inay Filipino Kitchen</b></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you tried the dishes at <b>Inay Filipino Kitchen </b>in San Francisco? What are your favorites? You may tell us in the comments below.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/8X44l3ek0t0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/inay-filipino-kitchen-in-san-francisco-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-83035378651915651452017-08-05T23:44:00.000+08:002017-10-30T17:14:07.854+08:00Yerba Buena Gardens: Refreshing Green Space in San Francisco<div style="text-align: justify;">While waiting for my job interview at a reputable tech company in San Francisco, I tried to look for a nearby space where I could spend my time and not be bored. I was also not trying to spend too much. So I knew I had to be at a public park somewhere. The nearest public park I saw on the map near where my interview happens is the <b>Yerba Buena Gardens</b>.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bounded by Howard, Mission, 3rd, and 4th Streets, the <b>Yerba Buena Gardens</b> is a San Francisco public park that seem to be well-loved by its citizens. People do a lot of things in the gardens. Some pay tribute to popular activist Martin Luther King Jr. Others take a nap on the grassy field.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Water is abundant in this park. I loved the welcome scent of water dropping on concrete as I entered the park from 3rd Street. The 3rd street entrance featured a pool of water surrounded by fountains. One part of the park is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial adorned by man-made waterfalls.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYI2Yb4TSzw/WanfqfbXRlI/AAAAAAAAIqo/7TLChOJkr_kEpUp8yWGZZfvYktFowNARQCKgBGAs/s1600/20170803_164134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The fountains at Yerba Buena Gardens " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LYI2Yb4TSzw/WanfqfbXRlI/AAAAAAAAIqo/7TLChOJkr_kEpUp8yWGZZfvYktFowNARQCKgBGAs/s640/20170803_164134.jpg" title="Yerba Buena Gardens public park in San Francisco California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Fountains at the 3rd Street entrance<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cpsHYRnuKkg/Wanf07GerQI/AAAAAAAAIqs/tfy9UXmpy5Q_3bG2qeQThYTZt2s3evxBgCKgBGAs/s1600/20170803_103040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at Yerba Buena Gardens " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cpsHYRnuKkg/Wanf07GerQI/AAAAAAAAIqs/tfy9UXmpy5Q_3bG2qeQThYTZt2s3evxBgCKgBGAs/s640/20170803_103040.jpg" title="Yerba Buena Gardens public park in San Francisco California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Man-made waterfalls at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Fitness activities are also popular. Walking and jogging is particularly popular. I saw someone do some tai chi or qi gong. I'm pretty sure some yoga enthusiasts also visit this place. Note though that bicycles, skateboards, and scooters are not allowed. The only wheeled conveniences allowed in the park are babies' strollers and wheelchairs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also note that pets are not welcome at the park. Flying drones, kites, lanterns, or balloons are also not allowed. Service animals that aid persons with a disability are welcome.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For security, I saw a cop on a bike patrolling the area. People are also generally nice in this area and that is somehow reassuring.<br /><br />There's a lot of green beauty in this park too. They have a very wide grassy field where people have picnics, take naps, do some exercises, and watch performances on an outdoor stage.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpDI0O_8nDs/WangA0SQs6I/AAAAAAAAIqw/sJq0dv3h9Rw9LX9klUOK08YPD7T4kESwACKgBGAs/s1600/20170803_103106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The outdoor stage at Yerba Buena Gardens " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpDI0O_8nDs/WangA0SQs6I/AAAAAAAAIqw/sJq0dv3h9Rw9LX9klUOK08YPD7T4kESwACKgBGAs/s640/20170803_103106.jpg" title="Yerba Buena Gardens public park in San Francisco California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View of the outdoor stage<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>While sitting on bench, I also noticed a flower garden. And there are flowers planted elsewhere in the park.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NnxxOTITQHs/WangJvslazI/AAAAAAAAIq0/SFcau4k9XWUcZVe0ZtlW814V2W7OhP-9gCKgBGAs/s1600/20170803_112048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="a flower garden at Yerba Buena Gardens " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NnxxOTITQHs/WangJvslazI/AAAAAAAAIq0/SFcau4k9XWUcZVe0ZtlW814V2W7OhP-9gCKgBGAs/s640/20170803_112048.jpg" title="Yerba Buena Gardens public park in San Francisco California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Beautiful flowers at the park<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>From the park, one can also witness some of the amazing architecture that characterizes San Francisco. One can see the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or SF MOMA on the 3rd Street side. At the Mission Street side, one can see Saint Patrick's Catholic Church. And from within the park, one can marvel at the beautiful San Francisco skyline.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SRIbLxzQcL8/WangWgPHSMI/AAAAAAAAIq4/tI8QFvGBhMoCAUNAm9j-q-3BfLs_YgymQCKgBGAs/s1600/20170803_102314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Saint Patrick's Church seen from the Yerba Buena Gardens " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SRIbLxzQcL8/WangWgPHSMI/AAAAAAAAIq4/tI8QFvGBhMoCAUNAm9j-q-3BfLs_YgymQCKgBGAs/s640/20170803_102314.jpg" title="Yerba Buena Gardens public park in San Francisco California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Saint Patrick's Catholic Church seen across Mission Street<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>The one thing I wish they added to this park is a public restroom. While I did see one indicated in the park map, I wasn't able to find it so I had to go inside Metreon to answer the call of nature.<br /><br />Have you been to the <b>Yerba Buena Gardens </b>in San Francisco? We'd love to hear about your experience. You may tell us in the comments below.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/-GiV4EVTfDU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/yerba-buena-gardens-refreshing-green.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-11040220575267676852017-08-05T12:09:00.001+08:002017-10-30T17:16:35.767+08:00A 2nd visit to San Francisco<div style="text-align: justify;">I was in <a href="http://www.sftravel.com/" target="_blank">San Francisco</a>, California recently for a job interview with a known tech company. Probing the rush hour commute, I decided to hop on the earliest schedules on public transport from Stockton. That's a 2 hour plus bus ride from Stockton to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station then a light rail transit ride from Dublin/Pleasanton to BART Montgomery station in San Francisco.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This meant that I arrived very early in the morning (around 6:30) at San Francisco. By the way, my interview was scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Not wanting to waste my time, I explored the city of San Francisco a little bit. But mostly the area around the BART Montgomery station, largely a part of the South of Market neighborhood.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I disembarked from the subway station, I walked around and was immediately introduced to the less than desirable realities of San Francisco: the abundance of mostly homeless people with mental health issues, sidewalks that reek with the smell of urine, uncollected garbage, and people that looked like zombies trying hard to make ends meet.&nbsp;</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--eNen9GxFE8/WcLb1RVhYuI/AAAAAAAALC0/4ldlCe2opCkz1SwvH7vrJqC74txhRiEXwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170803_072859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Uncollected garbage in San Francisco" border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--eNen9GxFE8/WcLb1RVhYuI/AAAAAAAALC0/4ldlCe2opCkz1SwvH7vrJqC74txhRiEXwCLcBGAs/s640/20170803_072859.jpg" title="San Francisco California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncollected garbage</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">On a positive note, I did see things that reminded me why I wanted to work in the city despite its infamously high cost of living which is among the highest across the country. The weather was not too warm, and not too cold either. Lots of people walking around gave me that happy-to-be-alive vibe. The population is so diverse with so many Asians specially. There is a lot of green space within the city. The architecture is amazing. And people do not seem to be in a hurry all the time unlike what we picture of in other highly urbanized cities.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dpDI0O_8nDs/WangA0SQs6I/AAAAAAAAIq8/nFcB2Ag05qkxhEMXzltYgNRREQ_jSdLXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20170803_103106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="green space in San Francisco" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dpDI0O_8nDs/WangA0SQs6I/AAAAAAAAIq8/nFcB2Ag05qkxhEMXzltYgNRREQ_jSdLXACPcBGAYYCw/s640/20170803_103106.jpg" title="San Francisco California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yerba Buena Gardens</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>See also: <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/yerba-buena-gardens-refreshing-green.html" target="_blank">Yerba Buena Gardens</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">While it is a popular tourist destinations, there are tourist spots that are free to go. As well as events that do not charge a penny. The diversity of the cuisines within the city is also amazing. Lots of Asian restaurants, but also lots of Italian, American, and European cuisines.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4jlOmgINd4/WbmWf5J3EfI/AAAAAAAAJ4s/g2o-BzvwtzMp99Uq7WmgPrtG5SqZhMplgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20170803_165908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Filipino food from Inay Filipino Kitchen in San Francisco" border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4jlOmgINd4/WbmWf5J3EfI/AAAAAAAAJ4s/g2o-BzvwtzMp99Uq7WmgPrtG5SqZhMplgCPcBGAYYCw/s640/20170803_165908.jpg" title="San Francisco California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combination plate from Inay Filipino Kitchen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>See also: <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/inay-filipino-kitchen-in-san-francisco-california-usa.html" target="_blank">Inay Filipino Kitchen</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Businesses are also thriving. Well maybe because I was in the South of Market neighborhood, probably the secondary business district in all of San Francisco. Next only to the Financial District. I assume there must be lots of opportunities here.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/E_9hLIJRL9E" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/08/2nd-visit-to-san-francisco-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-1439402433239587002017-06-12T07:27:00.004+08:002017-10-20T18:27:17.889+08:00The Crab Zone in Stockton, CA: Enjoy Crabs and Shrimps<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.theboilingcrab.com/" target="_blank">The Boiling Crab</a> is insanely popular for its crabs and shrimps that it has drawn a lot of wanna be competitors. Two of these wannabe's are&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joescrabshack.com/" target="_blank">Joe's Crab Shack</a> and <a href="http://thecrabzone.com/" target="_blank">The <b>Crab Zone</b></a>. I've tried The Boiling Crab in the past and it was awesome. I now live in Stockton, California, USA and the nearest <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBoilingCrabSacramento/" target="_blank">Boiling Crab</a> store is in Sacramento, some 40 miles north of where I currently reside or at least a 40-minute drive from my new home.&nbsp;</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So one time when me and my brother were craving for that The Boiling Crab flavor, we decided we'll try the local restaurant that offers much of the same on their menu.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Crab-Zone-274502933191/" target="_blank">The <b>Crab Zone</b></a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;a local restaurant located at 3240 East Hammer Lane, Stockton, California, USA. In this era of wanton franchising, I always get excited to try and eat local.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/s9aeTlWmFuMn5sBXeQJcuCmcIp43ytq9AaHUqVQxx6vhYGs9vHCsj8LbJFIea1AfrgsW3vArY0vxZp1RnVEZ0ueY-WJqQogRfi-vxNw_SyZy9mfdyegc6E8DX90JL5ASxgA3dt2jxj00f0ohOKJ-uxKaMS4edIgvP6yiwj2HUYOrx8Gm5zUWPjyKnFdPb-5HuNnLm8eT24kh-20Bu3jLCpnBtL2tYyJO-rgVqPuED3zm_BgwvGuzLrr0E_5eBR7J_-w3orwQSAPx1teqD-z_EnD_sYIftDwHnU8XT03mky-qM998cQBOmWC8TIvNSQoNo3vM2ngdHYf4Dg-MH1ypy88oPbYFbLW3uQRpEYzIR-S9p-d2Oni2cOPw46rPxcwMrGetuZ2ZYB54hSjPZjYXUX2Lz6z8YIxZ6jeU-Gbk4adaR8wYBBjuGo5cft7hZNVjmnjZB8YM-ntFLGu8hP9NAKHMzYJX5813lJtLKc79zn-1o88V199xdaxlq_f6fIKdJ5sSmlIycxT5tNg_yNoCkIunBHBPa5DOjjvRncN-uKHSKARs-mQkNd1WE2kayhprcB-57cxiOkmD04f7dLUd9tiYy-oy5NyllnlQqFx8yB2BAzTwWejE0mH_=w199-h353-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Crab Zone" border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="199" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/s9aeTlWmFuMn5sBXeQJcuCmcIp43ytq9AaHUqVQxx6vhYGs9vHCsj8LbJFIea1AfrgsW3vArY0vxZp1RnVEZ0ueY-WJqQogRfi-vxNw_SyZy9mfdyegc6E8DX90JL5ASxgA3dt2jxj00f0ohOKJ-uxKaMS4edIgvP6yiwj2HUYOrx8Gm5zUWPjyKnFdPb-5HuNnLm8eT24kh-20Bu3jLCpnBtL2tYyJO-rgVqPuED3zm_BgwvGuzLrr0E_5eBR7J_-w3orwQSAPx1teqD-z_EnD_sYIftDwHnU8XT03mky-qM998cQBOmWC8TIvNSQoNo3vM2ngdHYf4Dg-MH1ypy88oPbYFbLW3uQRpEYzIR-S9p-d2Oni2cOPw46rPxcwMrGetuZ2ZYB54hSjPZjYXUX2Lz6z8YIxZ6jeU-Gbk4adaR8wYBBjuGo5cft7hZNVjmnjZB8YM-ntFLGu8hP9NAKHMzYJX5813lJtLKc79zn-1o88V199xdaxlq_f6fIKdJ5sSmlIycxT5tNg_yNoCkIunBHBPa5DOjjvRncN-uKHSKARs-mQkNd1WE2kayhprcB-57cxiOkmD04f7dLUd9tiYy-oy5NyllnlQqFx8yB2BAzTwWejE0mH_=w199-h353-no" title="The Crab Zone in Stockton California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The&nbsp;<b>Crab Zone</b><br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a name='more'></a>I also searched similar places in town but the closest that came to it was Red Lobster which had franchises in several cities. So the choice was quite easy as we have always wanted to eat local and so off to <b>The Crab Zone </b>we went.<br /><br /><h2>Crabs and Shrimps at The Crab Zone</h2></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My brother and I ordered the same set of dishes we always order at The Boiling Crab: king crab legs and shrimp in a bag. We got a pound for the king crab legs and ordered 3 pounds of head-on shrimps. We told them we want both orders with original Cajun sauce as we did not want it too spicy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What we love about our order was how easy it was to eat the crab meat. They had the legs cut up in small pieces and they also sliced through the shell so the meat can easily be accessed. The flavor was good except that it was too salty. This was true specially for the crabs. The next time I'm dining here, I'll make sure to tell them ahead of time to have less salt on my orders when I place them.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/84z25p6oKhBdVd9km0228mCoY-QFOEcsFBsTGHEkoEHUnEIz2T3i2CzbhxE2HqaSjUrBxer7XhKil24aekTwxJ0dSXgjOJGg-Suui-hRmcMiIys8iQ1ihgsXPrbflw-p0MogNHPYyjLWPzirBv-3AL_JT9naycErpffC_CchEX9MV97JifDYId5WLtYdzsn0i8WMyOj-wKG3y_wG1hmbYfNCsLzySOdtgpTRYiuXWC_OFd_G6UpkZSOV_rVL6VJsuOcj3upBOq_BprO_2DOjVXM0MSXSGNS072w6CJ3D24jtNNc2jR30AKfaJswDExucdltr_CpXp2PcYeAcj7-HI1JLH0nXzriBpL-D5s8dnr0d2bQBnd7i8dl03x5sfYYQL3w-1L4MXfSZUFrTPqKA8dwPLY9omoAFTvj1fDFHL2X20XGn4osf6qxU0ceWWW0PGKCz0V8jPFmT5YIyCkolo55FxWw5-h_hTLK6GfBuQX02oHmHeIk3ggBpp_yRwuV_DAozHo99sG2vIwwibo8iasxStl3cgtSIVJldrqqbfXblbfjE1EtLlFHlqzGHDri1LWANvfVCMt67WXJxkklLlFjIavQ1rpxXlCaUA2RBmHTuBD6AjRhyQgc2=w548-h974-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="king crab legs from the Crab Zone" border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/84z25p6oKhBdVd9km0228mCoY-QFOEcsFBsTGHEkoEHUnEIz2T3i2CzbhxE2HqaSjUrBxer7XhKil24aekTwxJ0dSXgjOJGg-Suui-hRmcMiIys8iQ1ihgsXPrbflw-p0MogNHPYyjLWPzirBv-3AL_JT9naycErpffC_CchEX9MV97JifDYId5WLtYdzsn0i8WMyOj-wKG3y_wG1hmbYfNCsLzySOdtgpTRYiuXWC_OFd_G6UpkZSOV_rVL6VJsuOcj3upBOq_BprO_2DOjVXM0MSXSGNS072w6CJ3D24jtNNc2jR30AKfaJswDExucdltr_CpXp2PcYeAcj7-HI1JLH0nXzriBpL-D5s8dnr0d2bQBnd7i8dl03x5sfYYQL3w-1L4MXfSZUFrTPqKA8dwPLY9omoAFTvj1fDFHL2X20XGn4osf6qxU0ceWWW0PGKCz0V8jPFmT5YIyCkolo55FxWw5-h_hTLK6GfBuQX02oHmHeIk3ggBpp_yRwuV_DAozHo99sG2vIwwibo8iasxStl3cgtSIVJldrqqbfXblbfjE1EtLlFHlqzGHDri1LWANvfVCMt67WXJxkklLlFjIavQ1rpxXlCaUA2RBmHTuBD6AjRhyQgc2=w548-h974-no" title="The Crab Zone in Stockton California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">King crab legs in spicy sauce<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The shrimp also lacked consistency as some were overcooked, some were a little bit raw, and a few were just cooked right. Here's where I say if you want better shrimps in a bag, nothing still beats getting it at The Boiling Crab. I mean, my brother and I can cook better tasting shrimp dishes too at a way cheaper cost than what we had here.<br /><br />They gave us really spicy sauces too. I mean, I don't mind eating spicy but I just preferred a milder spice at that time and they got our whole order wrong.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, I don't wanna sound like it's a big deal. The food was good and we consumed everything, or maybe that's just how much we love seafood too. However, they will do really good when they can address these minor issues.<br /><br />The pricing was also kind of expensive although we did order outside of crab season. It will be interesting to know how much the price drops when it's crab season.<br /><br /><h2>Contact Information for The Crab Zone</h2>Street Address: 3240 East Hammer Lane, Stockton, California, USA 95212<br />Telephone Number: 209 477 9111<br />Business Hours: 3:30-9:30 p.m. Daily<br />Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Crab-Zone-274502933191/?fref=nf" target="_blank">The<b> Crab Zone</b></a><br /><br />Have you tried the seafood at <b>The Crab Zone </b>in Stockton? How was your experience? You may tell us in the comments below.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/YMHylS2-TGA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/06/the-crab-zone-stockton-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-75949880713273480162017-06-12T03:10:00.001+08:002017-10-20T18:20:24.420+08:00Hong Kong Restaurant: A Chinese Restaurant in Modesto CA<div style="text-align: justify;">I was in Modesto, California recently for a <a href="https://www.procprclasses.com/" target="_blank">certification course on CPR, AED, and standard first aid</a>. After the 3-hour Saturday class, I looked for an Asian place to eat. I first searched for Filipino restaurants in the area. But could only find a Filipino bakery in the city. So I searched for Asian restaurants in <a href="http://www.modestogov.com/" target="_blank">Modesto</a> on Google Maps. I got attracted to <b>Hong Kong Restaurant</b> with images of dim sum dishes in my mind.&nbsp;</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">First, I went to buy some bread from the Gold'n Fresh, the Filipino bakery. Then I went on to eat lunch at <b>Hong Kong Restaurant</b> at the Crossroads Shopping Center. It's a Chinese restaurant of course as the name obviously states. And it wasn't a dim sum place.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I ordered a combination plate which they called the chef's delight. I also ordered a bowl of shrimp won ton soup. Prices were decent, around $7.00 for each order. I paid less than $15.00 for my meal including a bottled drink. And so I thought I'd devour that entire meal by myself.<br /><br /><h2>Shrimp Won Ton Soup at Hong Kong Restaurant</h2>The shrimp won ton soup got served first and to my big surprise, that thing could feed 4 people. Lots of won ton and shrimps in it. It also had cabbage, bok choy, and carrots. The taste was okay. It not extraordinary but okay. I finished barely a third of that not because I didn't like it but because the portion were just too large even for my big appetite.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/V9bi_fvnc-PxmucZmg3OCuIMQRddWBMtUMX-PL-79Y3m06FO9ymBNASGnNtiiB13mXxAIWqhtdzJ6Jnt84jI6I-qyYAmdTSWmzfYRX5IFHVhF9aheWv-9uqAELgbsfnYNTE91vUMXykYPLvQtZwWMp0--9FbkMQLVkByEglRCn48H9fDNwMAkuK5aVXL2jXjm7rVrw_MIu_pGwLttzKWh9rs6IUoXF1qRPPCr1Ao_FnhC4nfDu18V-Opdf8S4rfG0o_w73gbV8YHKsAUE8jkMmMnMIqn2kZlmKd7yDsvX5_M0l2hONrcdreRrpYZ9-Clz2vgZ0u3EJBs_BjX3CRrRj2ySsYGlWjL4bUW4y7KkeOOLKPeP8cNfMvvuaeDwJLk54XeD0F3-RQtFKQ4nwm5-p5dWqPGRzCrKHRi4iYGMD_SHsH6scsli3LT4cGcLTIn_H5AlzWCb54smQlvCkgVtGIm2FfSmFCYI4_pw43WxO2-OS3i-P3z7Kx6VMWW_Q2z-1XRUzlzC8cx1fc4BFTyIW-pgJ0pQhT3t3T2BVsz2K6_b0JvnhT4kZ1ZM5Xy_Uathr2X7VgejrlgLYyDPjcatgIdEqTsdQRTTIuSdlVBxlHCebwvGqX8U9yn=w548-h974-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shrimp won ton soup from Hong Kong Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/V9bi_fvnc-PxmucZmg3OCuIMQRddWBMtUMX-PL-79Y3m06FO9ymBNASGnNtiiB13mXxAIWqhtdzJ6Jnt84jI6I-qyYAmdTSWmzfYRX5IFHVhF9aheWv-9uqAELgbsfnYNTE91vUMXykYPLvQtZwWMp0--9FbkMQLVkByEglRCn48H9fDNwMAkuK5aVXL2jXjm7rVrw_MIu_pGwLttzKWh9rs6IUoXF1qRPPCr1Ao_FnhC4nfDu18V-Opdf8S4rfG0o_w73gbV8YHKsAUE8jkMmMnMIqn2kZlmKd7yDsvX5_M0l2hONrcdreRrpYZ9-Clz2vgZ0u3EJBs_BjX3CRrRj2ySsYGlWjL4bUW4y7KkeOOLKPeP8cNfMvvuaeDwJLk54XeD0F3-RQtFKQ4nwm5-p5dWqPGRzCrKHRi4iYGMD_SHsH6scsli3LT4cGcLTIn_H5AlzWCb54smQlvCkgVtGIm2FfSmFCYI4_pw43WxO2-OS3i-P3z7Kx6VMWW_Q2z-1XRUzlzC8cx1fc4BFTyIW-pgJ0pQhT3t3T2BVsz2K6_b0JvnhT4kZ1ZM5Xy_Uathr2X7VgejrlgLYyDPjcatgIdEqTsdQRTTIuSdlVBxlHCebwvGqX8U9yn=w548-h974-no" title="Hong Kong Restaurant in Modesto California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shrimp won ton soup at Hong Kong Restaurant<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><h2>Chef's Delight Combo Plate at Hong Kong Restaurant</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Then came my main meal: the chef's delight combo plate. This one had 3 slices of fried chicken, fried rice, and pork chow mien. If you have tried chow mien from China Express, it's probably the same taste profile. I prefer the China Express fried chicken over this one though as it is crispier. But this one was good too.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/fsUaqAWl0EqsmpfsAk5kQXD3HkVu-Ly6gyE0HooZhYUjaSLkDpRNux7R1TYmMBMNLol4rPpGhittxMd7N2MUZFJToDo81_dh37hxkMfejgDIPO6WxGseHyQ2TN-ZC5-FRKkm8D2gJYa94frkH05Hs725FboOqeStHXqBJK6dh9_Kde4UfSnm7q240RR1_PZY1MZHHTkME8I8q2XUiDP358j0ryazudQOs-dpI9QL05vc72lti5m9Z1MYMUZQPX5ctwvGQKiwUO7kX11yyvSRDPRNQ4cqq_dYY2fUYmaok_PzoM-zr_fdj3eX9ns2vASSrXBPnHvFfxPy7h4b1SiLdYgZAwNxoEg8PQrt9PzZKKbz3Ro15KIRy8fJAEr7e48strtg8T_VfSZjeAT64eDAWmuK4LE_E613fSEsIMMINrKQlbff_kizpGc89UwVNYQ403meKLc1AuF1rXlaWES8Ohd45S-xKiclLYzZaYPxHoooZqXp-ry4tnAqcC5rhQRCozjUFzcEicl4fiBd3qwD1HDWBvlvz2ifGSkqXVVNy0JgLDjivR2fVgSiil1jf0VEL-wpZ8uFb5qYNHkJYe_j8KXoZJOVpvAaH5QEMwQh2caBSu-1QRcOkcnX=w548-h974-no" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chef's delight at Hong Kong Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/fsUaqAWl0EqsmpfsAk5kQXD3HkVu-Ly6gyE0HooZhYUjaSLkDpRNux7R1TYmMBMNLol4rPpGhittxMd7N2MUZFJToDo81_dh37hxkMfejgDIPO6WxGseHyQ2TN-ZC5-FRKkm8D2gJYa94frkH05Hs725FboOqeStHXqBJK6dh9_Kde4UfSnm7q240RR1_PZY1MZHHTkME8I8q2XUiDP358j0ryazudQOs-dpI9QL05vc72lti5m9Z1MYMUZQPX5ctwvGQKiwUO7kX11yyvSRDPRNQ4cqq_dYY2fUYmaok_PzoM-zr_fdj3eX9ns2vASSrXBPnHvFfxPy7h4b1SiLdYgZAwNxoEg8PQrt9PzZKKbz3Ro15KIRy8fJAEr7e48strtg8T_VfSZjeAT64eDAWmuK4LE_E613fSEsIMMINrKQlbff_kizpGc89UwVNYQ403meKLc1AuF1rXlaWES8Ohd45S-xKiclLYzZaYPxHoooZqXp-ry4tnAqcC5rhQRCozjUFzcEicl4fiBd3qwD1HDWBvlvz2ifGSkqXVVNy0JgLDjivR2fVgSiil1jf0VEL-wpZ8uFb5qYNHkJYe_j8KXoZJOVpvAaH5QEMwQh2caBSu-1QRcOkcnX=w548-h974-no" title="Hong Kong Restaurant in Modesto California USA" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Chef's delight combo plate at Hong Kong Restaurant<br /><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Location and Contact Information of Hong Kong Restaurant</h2><div>Street Address: 901 North Carpenter Road, #47 Crossroad Shopping Center, Modesto, California, USA 95351</div><div>Telephone Number: 209 577 3888</div><div>Business Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday</div><br />If there are 2 good things that will make me come back to this restaurant, it is the huge serving portions and the decent pricing.<br /><br />Have you tried the Chinese food at <b>Hong Kong Restaurant </b>in Modesto, California, USA? What are your favorite dishes on their menu? We'd love to hear your comments below.<br /><br /><i>Contributing writer: Thadz Engaling</i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/_W06rCks6tU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/06/hong-kong-restaurant-modesto-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-85151345130029068682017-02-21T20:49:00.003+08:002017-10-30T17:17:17.486+08:00China Palace Restaurant in Stockton, California, USA<div style="text-align: justify;">Right after my mom had minor surgery in September 2016, we had some sort of a thanksgiving lunch at <b>China Palace Restaurant</b> in Stockton, California. Second to Japanese cuisine, I am also a big fan of Chinese dishes. I guess you can say I have a bias for any of the Oriental cuisines may it be Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Mongolian.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">China Palace Restaurant</h2><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>China Palace Restaurant</b> is located at <a href="http://www.katzkirkpatrickproperties.com/all-properties/the-village-at-weber-ranch" target="_blank">The Village at Weber Ranch</a>. It's a 6-minute drive from my new home. Address is indicated as 5052 North West Lane, Stockton, California. On Fridays and Saturdays, they are open between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Business hours from Sundays to Thursdays are between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (209) 955 0888.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbK7grBoUVw/WcLdZu5vcRI/AAAAAAAALDA/z1b4W_xArQ8ScywNYJGLTv8VIklvAW4bwCLcBGAs/s1600/21617816_10155124891178095_1125716012170780661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="China Palace Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbK7grBoUVw/WcLdZu5vcRI/AAAAAAAALDA/z1b4W_xArQ8ScywNYJGLTv8VIklvAW4bwCLcBGAs/s640/21617816_10155124891178095_1125716012170780661_n.jpg" title="China Palace Restaurant" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A feast at <b>China Palace</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like many Chinese restaurants in the Philippines, <b>China Palace</b> has round tables with a revolving center. Food is placed on the revolving center. When you want something, you just turn the center to get the food you want within your reach.<br /><br /><h3>The Food at China Palace Restaurant</h3><div>I'm all too familiar with the food listed on the menu at <b>China Palace Restaurant</b>. I love Oriental cuisine and Chinese cooking is up there among my favorites. Probably the only difference is that they call it by different names compared to what I was used to back in the Philippines.</div><div><br /></div><h4>Pepper Salted Pork Chops&nbsp;</h4><div>My favorite dish at <b>China Palace Restaurant</b> is the pepper salted pork chops. The meat is tender and the breading has good flavor. It's a bit salty but just the way I like it. The chili that comes with it just adds to the really good flavor.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4></h4><h4>Deep Fried Shrimp Balls</h4><div>When I'm craving for shrimp and in no mood to do some peeling, this is my go to order.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4>&nbsp;</h4><h4>Pepper Salted Prawns</h4><div>The good thing about pepper salted prawns compared to deep fried shrimp balls is that it's all prawn meat and no flour.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><h4>Moon Cakes&nbsp;</h4><div>Back home in Cebu, we call these moon cakes "hopia dice" and La Fortuna Bakery makes the best of them.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4><br />Fried Sesame Balls</h4><div>In the Philippines, we call this dessert item "buchi". The filling that I'm used to seeing in this dessert is peanut butter (or <a href="http://www.wonderfulcebu.com/2016/03/chix-savour-chinoy-restaurant-in-lahug-cebu-city.html" target="_blank">Chix Savour's chocolate filling</a>). Here, they fill it with mung bean paste.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4></h4><h4>Chicken Pot Stickers&nbsp;</h4>Yet another item that we call by a different name back home. We call this Japanese-inspired dish "gyoza".<br /><br />They have lots of other food items on the menu ranging from pork buns, rice cakes, seafood dishes, pork dishes, beef dishes, and chicken dishes. The dishes I listed here just happen to be my favorites from the restaurant. I'll make it a point to explore their other dishes in the future.<br /><br /><h3></h3><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/z3eK5mRu_GM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/02/china-palace-restaurant-in-stockton-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-849651975052388682017-02-14T21:19:00.001+08:002017-10-30T12:58:53.905+08:00 Sly Park Recreation Area in Pollock Pines, California<div style="text-align: justify;">In late July, I joined two of my brothers, a sister-in-law, and two nephews to a day trip at <b>Pollock Pines</b>, California. It was a picnic trip, an easy trek, a family day, and a nature appreciation trip of sorts. <br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><h2> Sly Park Recreation Area&nbsp;</h2><div>We drove some 90 miles northeast from our home in Stockton, California to reach the <a href="http://www.slyparklake.com/" target="_blank"><b>Sly Park</b> <b>Recreation Area</b></a> in <b>Pollock Pines</b> at <a href="http://www.edcgov.us/" target="_blank">El Dorado County</a>. The most recognizable feature of the park is the Jenkinson Lake.<br /><br />There are a variety of outdoor activities that can be done at the <b>Sly Park Recreation Area</b>. Some of these are trekking, camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, swimming in the lake, sunbathing, bathing in the waterfalls, and horseback riding.<br /><br />We were there for a trek and a picnic. Out of the total eight mile hiking trail, we only did one mile. We hiked from the Hazel Creek campsite to the Park Creek Waterfalls then back. The hike was easy and a good one for beginners.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHIH_dvXYls/WcRifBmr3eI/AAAAAAAALGw/7jBCFObGouMaYhYGeftH7Zvih2osqYLswCEwYBhgL/s1600/14687CB8-A687-470F-8D10-B5F69B430CDE_zpsan5tp5kz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="getting started at Sly Park at Pollock Pines" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHIH_dvXYls/WcRifBmr3eI/AAAAAAAALGw/7jBCFObGouMaYhYGeftH7Zvih2osqYLswCEwYBhgL/s640/14687CB8-A687-470F-8D10-B5F69B430CDE_zpsan5tp5kz.jpg" title="Sly Park at Pollock Pines" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">That's me when we were just getting started</div><div style="font-size: 12.8px;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />In this post, I'd like to share some of the sights we enjoyed while doing light trekking at <b>Sly Park</b>.<br /><br /><h3>Park Creek Waterfalls&nbsp;</h3></div><div>The reward for our short trek was the refreshing site of a man-made waterfall at the end of the trail. My nephews and one of my brothers took it a bit further by dipping in the cold waters of the natural pool.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsoYakMlzZ8/WcRifwl4sSI/AAAAAAAALG4/9qDI3TE53isIYij7-VvbSE_5UNjugB2ugCEwYBhgL/s1600/FF640414-202E-44F8-8822-B215D7AF4CE9_zpsktx2brr7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Park Creek Waterfalls at Sly Park at Pollock Pines" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsoYakMlzZ8/WcRifwl4sSI/AAAAAAAALG4/9qDI3TE53isIYij7-VvbSE_5UNjugB2ugCEwYBhgL/s640/FF640414-202E-44F8-8822-B215D7AF4CE9_zpsktx2brr7.jpg" title="Sly Park at Pollock Pines" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Creek Waterfalls</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h3><br />Animal Life</h3></div><div>As a nature reserve, animal life must have been abundant at <b>Sly Park</b>. But all we ever saw were mallards near the shore of the lake. We did see boxes for bats and lots of information about the wildlife in the park.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AG4a6IXUWog/WcRifJKij5I/AAAAAAAALG0/1sJWMq0WX4Yb2EavZKWCGdAp48SwG8w_wCEwYBhgL/s1600/B9953191-9C2E-4653-B3AF-49FF9C115E6B_zpsmsdprikn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mallards at Sly Park at Pollock Pines" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AG4a6IXUWog/WcRifJKij5I/AAAAAAAALG0/1sJWMq0WX4Yb2EavZKWCGdAp48SwG8w_wCEwYBhgL/s640/B9953191-9C2E-4653-B3AF-49FF9C115E6B_zpsmsdprikn.jpg" title="Sly Park at Pollock Pines" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallards</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><h3><br />Jenkinson Lake</h3></div><div>Probably the most distinguishable feature of <b>Sly Park</b> is Jenkinson Lake. This is where most guests enjoy fishing, sunbathing, boating, or swimming.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du41HfIuBA0/WcRifGStMFI/AAAAAAAALGs/chkG1FokKx4ushRCN8YwgKE-BSc69HXVACEwYBhgL/s1600/9A501994-BC38-4C82-A39C-14C1DA2BB6BE_zpsmompcjdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park at Pollock Pines" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-du41HfIuBA0/WcRifGStMFI/AAAAAAAALGs/chkG1FokKx4ushRCN8YwgKE-BSc69HXVACEwYBhgL/s640/9A501994-BC38-4C82-A39C-14C1DA2BB6BE_zpsmompcjdr.jpg" title="Sly Park at Pollock Pines" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenkinson Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h3><br />2016 Fee Schedule (in U.S. Dollars)</h3><h4>Camping (8 People, 1 Vehicle), per night&nbsp;</h4><div><ul><li>Family Campsite: <span style="color: red;">$80</span></li><li>Waterfront Campsite: <span style="color: red;">$50</span></li><li>Pinecone Strip: <span style="color: red;">$45</span></li><li>Black Oak Equestrian: <span style="color: red;">$40</span></li><li>Standard Campsite: <span style="color: red;">$33</span>&nbsp;(Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$30</span></li><li>Extra Vehicle: <span style="color: red;">$15</span></li><li>Boat: <span style="color: red;">$9</span>&nbsp;(Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$8</span>)</li><li>Pet: <span style="color: red;">$5 per pet</span></li><li>Reservation and Change Fee <span style="color: red;">$9</span></li><li>Cancellation Fee: <span style="color: red;">$15</span>&nbsp;(allowed up to 4 days prior to arrival)</li><li>Over Limit People Fee: <span style="color: red;">$10</span>&nbsp;per person per night</li><li>Late Checkout Fee: <span style="color: red;">$10</span></li></ul></div><h4>Group Areas (50 People)&nbsp;</h4><div><ul><li>Group Area 1: <span style="color: red;">$320</span></li><li>Group Area 2: <span style="color: red;">$320</span></li><li>Group Area 3: <span style="color: red;">$300</span></li><li>Group Area 4: <span style="color: red;">$300</span></li><li>Group Area 5: <span style="color: red;">$325</span></li><li>Group Area 6: <span style="color: red;">$300</span></li><li>Event Center: <span style="color: red;">$330</span>&nbsp;(Cleaning deposit <span style="color: red;">$100</span>)</li><li>Additional People: <span style="color: red;">$4</span></li><li>Reservation/Change Fee: <span style="color: red;">$20</span></li><li>Cancellation Fee: <span style="color: red;">$50</span>&nbsp;(allowed up to 14 days prior to arrival)</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><h4>Day Use (Entrance Fees per day)</h4><div>Vehicle <span style="color: red;">$11</span></div><div><ul><li>Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$9</span></li></ul></div><div>Boat Launch <span style="color: red;">$9</span></div><div><ul><li>Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$8</span></li></ul><div>Pet <span style="color: red;">$5 per pet</span></div></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><h4>Annual Day Use Permits (per calendar year)</h4><div>Vehicles <span style="color: red;">$132</span></div><div><ul><li>Disabled/Senior (62)/Military with ID <span style="color: red;">$108</span></li><li>2nd Vehicle (same owner) <span style="color: red;">$50</span></li></ul></div><div>Boat <span style="color: red;">$108</span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><h4>Boat Rentals&nbsp;</h4><div><ul><li>Paddle Board: 1 Hour <span style="color: red;">$20</span>, 4 Hours <span style="color: red;">$50</span></li><li>Pedal Boat: Half hour <span style="color: red;">$5</span></li><li>Kayak/Canoe: 1 Hour <span style="color: red;">$15</span>, 4 Hours <span style="color: red;">$35</span>, 7 Hours (max day) <span style="color: red;">$ 50</span></li><li>Deposit: <span style="color: red;">$30</span>&nbsp;or <span style="color: red;">$100</span>&nbsp;(paddle boards)</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><h4>Other Fees</h4><div><ul><li>Equestrian Staging Area &nbsp;<span style="color: red;">$5</span></li><li>Bumpy Meadows (per day)<span style="color: red;"> $5</span></li><li><a href="http://www.bathkeep.com/rv-toilet/" target="_blank">RV Toilet</a> Dump <span style="color: red;">$15</span></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><h3>Contact Information</h3><div>El Dorado Irrigation District-Recreation</div><div>Telephone Number: 530-295-6824</div><div>E-mail address: <a href="mailto:recreation@eid.org">recreation@eid.org</a></div><div>Website: <a href="http://www.eid.org/">www.eid.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My first visit to <b>Sly Park </b>at&nbsp;<b>Pollock Pines</b> was truly a nature trip I no longer experience that much. I look forward to more hiking trips in the USA soon.<br /><br />Have you been to&nbsp;<b>Sly Park&nbsp;</b>at&nbsp;<b>Pollock Pines</b>. We'd love to hear about your experience. You may tell us in the comments below.&nbsp;</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/RVnoR9stCr0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/113718966319854008804noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/02/sly-park-pollock-pines-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-32908860912070672102017-02-03T13:00:00.000+08:002017-10-30T17:17:46.665+08:00Beautiful Picadilly Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.carmelcalifornia.com/" target="_blank">Carmel-by-the-Sea</a> is a little city in California. But despite that, there is much to see and appreciate in this beautiful city in Monterrey county. It was September 2016 when we drove south to enjoy the <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/09/17-mile-drive-pacific-grove-ca.html" target="_blank">17 Mile Drive</a> in nearby Pacific Grove when we got a glimpse of Carmel-by-the-Sea after our tour. We had lunch at <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/09/flahertys-oyster-bar-carmelbythesea-ca.html" target="_blank">Flaherty's Oyster Bar</a> but had too little time to go around some more.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Picadilly Park</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">The one thing that we did stop by was tiny but beautiful <b>Picadilly Park</b>. It was by accident that we found this little beauty of a plaza when we were looking for a public restroom. One public restroom was located at the park itself. While the restroom was kinda dirty for tourist standards, I guess that has more to do with users not helping much in maintaining cleanliness. That aside, <b>Picadilly Park</b> is just one beautiful green spot. It's picture-perfect, Poetic, and Instagram-worthy. It blends in well with the old-world, rustic charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_csFfwT8s/WcLeyLyH8RI/AAAAAAAALDM/q8uVvYhcyUUicZpg2SnGTPjXcaCFec45wCEwYBhgL/s1600/picadilly%2Bpark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Picadilly Park" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_csFfwT8s/WcLeyLyH8RI/AAAAAAAALDM/q8uVvYhcyUUicZpg2SnGTPjXcaCFec45wCEwYBhgL/s640/picadilly%2Bpark.jpg" title="Picadilly Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea California USA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Picadilly Park</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to information posted on the park, a conservation group lobbied for the establishment of the public space to maintain a green area in the city. This is surprising since little Carmel-by-the-Sea is nowhere near industrialized. Small businesses and tourism dominate the commerce in the area. And while there is no obvious big industrial threat to the environment in Carmel-by-the-Sea, it is worth applauding efforts like this one.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nV_Q79UeHZY/WcLeyD0W0JI/AAAAAAAALDQ/fsVjR-sieeAo_UGyYtJpxE2yph0XZLOiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/bench%2Bat%2Bpicadilly%2Bpark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Park bench" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nV_Q79UeHZY/WcLeyD0W0JI/AAAAAAAALDQ/fsVjR-sieeAo_UGyYtJpxE2yph0XZLOiwCEwYBhgL/s640/bench%2Bat%2Bpicadilly%2Bpark.jpg" title="Picadilly Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea California USA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting at a bench</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There's nothing really fancy about the public square, a small paved area surrounded by small businesses along Dolores Street. <b>Picadilly Park</b> is a garden within a city. Trees and flowering plants line its perimeter. A tree stands proud at the center of the green space and wooden benches are provided for visitors.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/nCIonD81kN0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/02/picadilly-park-carmel-by-the-sea-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-20296932424910381982017-01-29T20:47:00.001+08:002017-09-22T09:18:35.555+08:00Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen: Good Chicken, Better Service Needed<div style="text-align: justify;">While home to many Japanese restaurants, the city of Stockton in northern California also has several chicken places worth mentioning such as Jollibee, El Pollo Loco, Wing Stop, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. <br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br />One of these places where to order some good old fried chicken is Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. One of them Popeye's stores happen to be a very short drive away from my new home and my family frequently buy chicken from that store.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Good Chicken at Popeye's</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">While I readily associate Popeye's with that spinach-obsessed sailor man cartoon character from my childhood, Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen can most readily be associated with a flavorful and aromatic fried chicken that goes so well with their variety of sauces. The fried chicken can either come spicy or mildly-spiced. What I like about their chicken is how crunchy the skin is even after you let it set for a number of hours. We usually order our chicken with coleslaw salad and gravy (it's a Filipino thing). Occasionally, we order a side of buttermilk biscuits or some popcorn shrimps too.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Service at Popeye's Needs Improvement</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes, the not so positive negate whatever is good about something. This seems to be a reality that may be associated with Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. At least in this 1 store in Stockton, California. You see, while the fried chicken is really good, the service could really use a huge lot of improvement.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One time, when we went to order through their drive-thru, we paid the right amount for our order but got a few pieces of chicken less than what we paid for. Another time, I went inside their store. I can see part of the kitchen from behind the counter and it seemed like a mess. Even their manager on that shift had flour all over herself, it didn't look clean at all. A customer who was waiting for his order was complaining that it's been 20 minutes and he still did not get it. He demanded for a refund. They gave him the refund but the guy was obviously upset. The staff was apologetic, they mean well. But I think the issue is that they needed to have a better system to keep track of things and make sure everything is in order.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Free Chicken Offer Every 30 Days at Popeye's</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Like most restaurants in the U.S., <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2017/01/get-free-chicken-at-popeyes-louisiana-kitchen.html" target="_blank">Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen also offers a freebie promotion in exchange for customer feedback</a>. Information about this freebie promo is printed at the back of Popeye's receipts. &nbsp;</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/uJxl-rcfLz8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/01/popeyes-louisiana-kitchen-fried-chicken.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-36974044474857545912017-01-27T21:56:00.001+08:002017-09-22T09:25:32.571+08:00Breakfast and Pies at Coco's Bakery and Restaurant<div style="text-align: justify;">As I drove into West Harney Lane and South Ham Lane in Lodi, California, I just started to love how quiet and beautiful the little California city is. Laid back yet with the basic essentials seemed like a good city to live in for me. I had an appointment for the dermatologist that day but I came in 2 full hours too early so I decided to check out a food place in town.</div><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Coco's Bakery and Restaurant</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">So I drove through Kettleman Lane, which I suppose is one of the major avenues in Lodi. A huge signage for Target caught my attention and I pulled up right there. There were many restaurant choices: Papa Murphy's Pizza, Chipotle Burger, <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/11/jack-in-the-box-burger-restaurant.html" target="_blank">Jack in the Box</a>. All too familiar as they all had presence in Stockton where I live. So I settled for the one restaurant that I didn't see in Stockton: <a href="http://www.cocosbakery.com/" target="_blank"><b>Coco's Bakery and Restaurant</b></a>. I ordered a pie in season as recommended by one of the crew and a pancake breakfast combo.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><h4>Caramel Apple Harvest Pie&nbsp;</h4><div>The literature at <b>Coco's Bakery and Restaurant</b> screams how good their pies are displaying all the accolades and awards it has won them over the years. Most of these awards were from the <a href="http://www.piecouncil.org/" target="_blank">American Pie Council</a>. So of course, they got my attention. I asked what was good and one of the crew suggested the caramel apple harvest pie which was in season. I heeded her suggestion. The pie crust was layered with apples that had a strong cinnamon flavoring, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle. The menu indicates that there was a caramel chiffon in between the apples and whipped cream but I barely noticed it. It was a treat for the sweet tooth, specially the part above the apples. The cinnamon-flavored apples came too strong for me as I am not a very big fan of apples anyway.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLTKinjW1CE/WcRlEl-fmGI/AAAAAAAALHQ/T99F2CtDPbQkJzfmqyY3VP4Bo3GVhonBgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Caramel%2Bapple%2Bharvest%2Bpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Caramel apple harvest pie" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLTKinjW1CE/WcRlEl-fmGI/AAAAAAAALHQ/T99F2CtDPbQkJzfmqyY3VP4Bo3GVhonBgCEwYBhgL/s640/Caramel%2Bapple%2Bharvest%2Bpie.jpg" title="Coco's Bakery and Restaurant" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caramel apple harvest pie</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><h4>Fresh Banana, Walnut, and Caramel Gluten-free Pancakes</h4><div>I love breakfast food so I ordered some. It was noon and I haven't had breakfast. But it's a good thing <b>Coco's </b>has an all-day breakfast menu. The fresh banana, walnut, and caramel gluten-free pancakes caught my attention so I ordered it along with my caramel apple harvest pie. It's a stack of 5 little pancakes topped with banana slices with walnut bits and served with 2 eggs done any way you wish (I had mine scrambled), and choice of bacon or sausage (I had bacon of course!).</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ia2JtuCzJZM/WcRlEi0MY_I/AAAAAAAALHM/xJKAU-p6Z1oM8_Ua-ulyMfNSEGasNzbhACEwYBhgL/s1600/fresh%2Bbanana%252C%2Bwalnut%252C%2Band%2Bcaramel%2Bpancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="pancake breakfast" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ia2JtuCzJZM/WcRlEi0MY_I/AAAAAAAALHM/xJKAU-p6Z1oM8_Ua-ulyMfNSEGasNzbhACEwYBhgL/s640/fresh%2Bbanana%252C%2Bwalnut%252C%2Band%2Bcaramel%2Bpancakes.jpg" title="Coco's Bakery and Restaurant" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pancake breakfast<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Prices at <b>Coco's </b>are really not bad either. I paid USD 15.93 for &nbsp;my meal.<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/c_0FtYaf08A" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/01/cocos-bakery-restaurant-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-74463304391430866342017-01-18T16:46:00.000+08:002017-09-22T09:33:11.026+08:004 Life Lessons for Kids at the Legoland California Resort<div style="text-align: justify;">The <b><a href="https://www.legoland.com/california/" target="_blank">Legoland California Resort</a></b> at Carlsbad in <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/08/san-diego-california-usa.html" target="_blank">San Diego County, California</a>&nbsp;was surely built for kids and the kids at heart. It was made for the young ones and the young once. While premised largely on play, there are valuable life lessons the kids can learn by visiting the <b>Legoland California Resort</b>. Ass experiential educators believe, play builds character. People can really know more of each other through an hour of play than a lifetime of conversation. Who said this is still subject of debate, but it holds true to this day. <br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I visited the <b>Legoland California Resort</b> in early July 2016 with my siblings and their little kids. Upon my personal observation, here are 4 valuable life lessons that children can learn while enjoying their visit to this theme park:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_TQUmxSMuo/WcRm0IVIq8I/AAAAAAAALHY/L6gyWC3p-gI39nsjSf48hyWkVK2rI-wwgCEwYBhgL/s1600/4951639D-9D0A-4B76-9BE2-78FE96700804_zpsa12kppqn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="On a park bench" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_TQUmxSMuo/WcRm0IVIq8I/AAAAAAAALHY/L6gyWC3p-gI39nsjSf48hyWkVK2rI-wwgCEwYBhgL/s640/4951639D-9D0A-4B76-9BE2-78FE96700804_zpsa12kppqn.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thadz at Legoland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a name='more'></a><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">1. Respecting Diversity</h3><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visiting <b>Legoland California Resort</b> exposes the young to the diversity of this world. They meet people from all kinds of backgrounds and that is a good thing. It will help kids appreciate and respect differences between them and kids or people who have many differences with them. Be it language, ethnicity, gender, or other things.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">2. Patience</h3><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes, queues can really be long at the <b>Legoland California Resort</b>. This is true specially on weekends, holidays, and the summer. It is a good way for the little ones to develop their patience.</div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><br />3. Obeying Rules and Regulations</h3><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Legoland California Resort</b> has rules and regulations that everyone must follow. It is a kind of transactional atmosphere. Those who do not follow rules do not get rewarded. I have also seen many parents dealing with their kids in a transactional way while at the resort. They positively reinforce good behavior and punish the opposite.</div></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><br />4. General Knowledge</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Legoland California Resort</b> is a great place to teach kids about general information. Popular informational tidbits about art, history, science, and a lot of other categories of knowledge are abundant. Imagine telling your kids a story about Albert Einstein when you walk by his face made of Lego pieces.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWsRHR7tlb0/WcRm0UPnE1I/AAAAAAAALHg/wZVY1fykQs4zEkM4D3e9PAokolwl0LNSACEwYBhgL/s1600/204BA520-3C07-424F-9658-7C25C95EE49B_zps5fco1tov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Albert Einstein" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWsRHR7tlb0/WcRm0UPnE1I/AAAAAAAALHg/wZVY1fykQs4zEkM4D3e9PAokolwl0LNSACEwYBhgL/s640/204BA520-3C07-424F-9658-7C25C95EE49B_zps5fco1tov.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albert Einstein</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Or introducing the young ones to characters of the Star Wars movie franchise.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAWW671LPqY/WcIZjlDspwI/AAAAAAAALBU/1uZhpFJ6PEAKshqow1wR2RDsGTtYyoHJACLcBGAs/s1600/8538934F-6E2E-447B-81C8-5FEA26025EEF_zps9xbmykof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Star Wars" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAWW671LPqY/WcIZjlDspwI/AAAAAAAALBU/1uZhpFJ6PEAKshqow1wR2RDsGTtYyoHJACLcBGAs/s640/8538934F-6E2E-447B-81C8-5FEA26025EEF_zps9xbmykof.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort in San Diego CA USA" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Wars</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Maybe, you will also find yourself answering questions about The Thinker. The resort has a replica of the bronze sculpture made of Lego play pieces.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTWIWQ7S3Es/WcRm04-n5RI/AAAAAAAALHk/rSPQ3KXov2USyaFHb8FIzOA6RrnTUYIQACEwYBhgL/s1600/6EBA2BBB-8494-41CD-BF2C-6C6A77E4D06C_zpsascw84bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Thinker" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTWIWQ7S3Es/WcRm04-n5RI/AAAAAAAALHk/rSPQ3KXov2USyaFHb8FIzOA6RrnTUYIQACEwYBhgL/s640/6EBA2BBB-8494-41CD-BF2C-6C6A77E4D06C_zpsascw84bf.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thinker</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>How about something more relevant to California: the history of the Gold Rush while playfully pretending to pan gold and other treasures.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9ulI-lx9Y4/WcRm0VeiNNI/AAAAAAAALHc/7dIVLfJFBbgj6fMEAZb54K4hMFnBD-1IwCEwYBhgL/s1600/1FF03793-5561-4A4B-9D40-5E51CE84FAB6_zpsinqdnnym.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Panning for gold" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9ulI-lx9Y4/WcRm0VeiNNI/AAAAAAAALHc/7dIVLfJFBbgj6fMEAZb54K4hMFnBD-1IwCEwYBhgL/s640/1FF03793-5561-4A4B-9D40-5E51CE84FAB6_zpsinqdnnym.jpg" title="Legoland California Resort" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panning for "gold"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"></h3></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/DQH9AslDe6o" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2017/01/legoland-carlsbad-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-75260552268592321522017-01-17T09:03:00.002+08:002017-09-22T09:30:59.222+08:00Jollibee USA for Filipinos Who Miss the Philippines<div style="text-align: justify;">It's refreshing to find a familiar Filipino fastfood joint not far from where I live now in Stockton, California, USA. There are lots of similarities from how I know Jollibee in the Philippines. And there are differences as well. <br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br />In the Philippines, Jollibee's marketing efforts are directed largely to kids and families and we frequently see the Jollibee mascots, in-store playgrounds, and kiddie parties in Jollibee stores. While Jollibee USA does have kiddie meals in their menu, I haven't seen mascots, in-store playgrounds, and even a space for kiddie parties. I guess the marketing efforts of Jollibee USA is geared more towards the Filipino community in general.<br /><br />Most Jollibee USA stores are located in cities with a significant Filipino population. Jollibee USA has 22 stores in California, 4 stores in Hawaii, 2 stores in Illinois, 2 stores in Nevada and 1 store each in New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Florida.<br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Menu</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The Jollibee USA menu does not differ much from their menu in the Philippines. As I expected, there will be differences in how they taste. Chickenjoy is still the flagship product and their all too familiar menu still lists burger steak, palabok fiesta, burgers, fries, ice cream sundaes, and peach mango pies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Chickenjoy&nbsp;</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Stockton has lots of restaurants that has chicken as the main menu item (Popeye's Luoisana Kitchen, Wing Zone, Church's Chicken, Wing STop, El Pollo Loco to name a few). and Jollibee USA banks on the patronage of the sizeable Filipino population so they can compete in that space. There is a slight difference in taste between the original Chickenjoy in the Philippines and the one I tried here in America. I'd say a very negligible difference and is as good as the one I'm used to.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Burger Steak&nbsp;</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">The burger steak in the Philippines is richer in flavor but the burger steak at Jollibee USA is more filling. These seasoned beef patties in mushroom gravy is a personal favorite.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><br />Palabok Fiesta</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Just like the burger steak, the Jollibee USA version of palabok fiesta is more filling, has larger portions, more meat. Then again, it is less sweeter in flavor profile compared to the one in the Philippines. Filipinos are known to have a palate biased for sweetness.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Peach Mango Pie</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Pinoys love sweet and they would love Jollibee's peach mango pie too. Now this one tastes exactly like the original. Jollibee's return customers may also avail of a free peach mango pie offer in exchange for feedback on an online survey.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/8SuJTdt645k" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0Stockton, CA, USA37.9577016 -121.2907796000000137.7563446 -121.6148761 38.1590586 -120.96668310000001http://www.ustravels.com/2017/01/jollibee-usa-stockton-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-62816375654772671232016-12-21T03:30:00.001+08:002017-09-23T04:31:21.484+08:00Noma Sushi and Grill in Stockton<div style="text-align: justify;">Just like me, Stockton, California, USA seems to be enamored to Japanese cuisine if only the sheer number of Japanese restaurants in the city were an indication. <br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br />The first Japanese restaurant that I dined at since I arrived in America was <b>Noma Sushi and Grill</b>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Noma Sushi and Grill in Stockton, California, USA</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Noma Sushi and Grill</b> is located at Weberstown Mall at the corner of March Lane and Pacific Avenue in Stockton, California, USA. Business address is indicated as 4590 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, California, USA (Telephone number: 209 472 7152). Their other branch is at 1240 Sunset Boulevard #100, Rocklin, California, USA (Telephone number 916 435 1600).<br /><br />One of the best ways to enjoy Japanese food is to order <i>bento</i> boxes as it comes with 3 or more Japanese dishes in one order. And so that's what we did. We ordered them combination lunch boxes. We had a choice of 3 items for each box which already comes with a cup of rice (It's an Asian thing) , vegetable salad, and miso soup (traditionally Japanese). I ordered California rolls, <i>tonkatsu</i>, and mixed <i>tempura</i>. The <i>tonkatsu</i> was too hard, tempura was good, and so were the rolls.<br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">My brother had <i>gyoza</i> (they call them pot stickers here), his favorite chicken <i>teriyaki</i>, and mixed tempura as well. The chicken <i>teriyaki</i> was really good and the pot stickers were quite good as well.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our tab came out at less than 30 USD and it was a good meal. I should say that ain't bad a price for a good Japanese meal. If their tonkatsu were a lot more tender, I'd be raving about them. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/WYGqxmocFdI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/noma-sushi-and-grill-stockton-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-42021012429763902222016-12-16T20:43:00.002+08:002017-09-25T05:13:19.596+08:00It's Easy to Love Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga<div style="text-align: justify;">One of the more popular wine tasting places in Napa Valley is the <b>Castello di Amorosa</b> in the little town of Calistoga. On my first visit to <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/first-foray-into-napa-valley-california.html" target="_blank">Napa Valley</a>, I went there with family thanks to the wine club membership of my sister. <br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br />While we were not fully able to explore the castle and vineyard, we had such a good time. Our visit included reserve wine tasting and we had quite a lot of wine to drink.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Castello di Amorosa&nbsp;</h2><h4>The Castle</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Being a Italian medieval castle in America makes <b>Castello di Amorosa</b> a unique tourist draw in Napa Valley. While no real royalty ever lived in the castle, it was constructed using methods of the old world. Just like how real castles were made. According to their informational brochure, the castle was built using the same methods and materials employed 700-800 years ago such as antique bricks from Europe, old materials and furnishings from Europe, and tons of hand-chiseled local stone.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RI84dwjcS9s/Wcge9BxqfmI/AAAAAAAALTw/Lu73mSdqYeI5UrG5TSdtNeZsQrd_2iHXgCEwYBhgL/s1600/21616187_10155124929448095_2821566788312440400_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vineyard" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RI84dwjcS9s/Wcge9BxqfmI/AAAAAAAALTw/Lu73mSdqYeI5UrG5TSdtNeZsQrd_2iHXgCEwYBhgL/s640/21616187_10155124929448095_2821566788312440400_n.jpg" title="Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga California" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vineyard</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Owned by Dario Sattui, <b>Castello di Amorosa</b> literally means "Castle of Love" in the Italian language. It is a Tuscan castle he built to honor his Italian heritage and a testament for his deep love for medieval architecture.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD4_XPBO-KU/Wcge9E-KLgI/AAAAAAAALTs/23adtc3CXOERJexwKCAANjP69-MQQrZ1ACEwYBhgL/s1600/21616392_10155124929398095_2653367617157814272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Great Hall" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD4_XPBO-KU/Wcge9E-KLgI/AAAAAAAALTs/23adtc3CXOERJexwKCAANjP69-MQQrZ1ACEwYBhgL/s640/21616392_10155124929398095_2653367617157814272_n.jpg" title="Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga California" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Hall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The castle is as real as it can get with a moat and drawbridge, a chapel, a great hall, defensive towers, courtyards, stables, a deep well, prison and torture chambers, and of course wine cellars.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Here are some quick facts about <b>Castello di Amorosa</b>:<br /><div><ul><li>Type of building: 13th century medieval Tuscan-style castle and winery</li><li>Actual construction took 15 years to complete</li><li>121,000 square feet or 3 acre of rooms</li><li>5 defensive towers with battlements</li><li>2,000 pound hand-hewn doors from Italy</li><li>107 distinctive rooms (95 devoted to winemaking)</li><li>8 levels, 4 are underground (castle is 2/3 underground)</li><li>Doors and windows made by Italian artisans and feature leaded glass in windows</li><li>More than 200 containers of antique bricks, tiles, doors, windows, and furnishings were brought over from Europe</li><li>Features include 5 towers, ramparts, 3 courtyards, a Great Hall, a Noble's Apartment, a chapel, a deep well, 2 vaulted loggia's, an outdoor oven, a prison and torture chamber, an armory, a knight's room, wine aging cellars, tasting rooms, and beautiful brick vaulted ceilings.</li></ul></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /><h4>Wine Tasting&nbsp;</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">As I already mentioned earlier in the post, our visit included a complimentary reserve wine tasting big thanks to my sister's wine club membership at <b>Castello di Amorosa</b>. My sister has a preferred wine associate that goes by Vincenzo, quite a bubbly guy of Italian descent. It wasn't hard to like the guy as he was not only bubbly but also lively, amiable, and possesses a good sense of humor.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Being a wine club member, my sister is a frequent visitor to <b>Castello di Amorosa</b>. The last time she visited though have been a few months ago. And Vincenzo was just too excited to see her again. She's brought in lots of visitors to the castle and for sure she's been quite a boon to their wine sales over the years. One could understand Vincenzo's excitement.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'd say they give my sister preferential treatment when she visits. Usually, there are certain limits to wine tasting. The limit is more or less about 6 glasses but we were allowed to taste way more than that limit. I'm pretty sure we each drank more than 10 glasses of wine in about an hour or two. We were buzzed when we were done. Some wines are also not served to everybody specially the reserved ones. But we had about 3 or 4 glasses of those premium wines.<br /><br />As far as I remember, we tasted Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Il Barone Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Il Passito Reserve Late Harvest, Merlot, Sangiovese, Dolcino Gewurtztraminer, and Sinalunga.&nbsp;</div><h4>The Vineyard&nbsp;</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">The views going into <b>Castello di Amorosa</b> were fabulous and refreshing. The road leading to the castle is lined with well-trimmed Italian cypress trees.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the vast expanse of the vineyard is planted with rows and rows of grape plants. It was already autumn when we visited and the yellow hue of withering leaves were a lovely sight.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h3>Location and Contact Information</h3><div>Street Address: 4045 Saint Helena Highway, Calistoga, California, USA 94515</div><div>Website: <a href="http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/" target="_blank"><b>Castello di Amorosa</b></a></div><div>Telephone Number: (707) 967 6272</div><div>Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/castellodiamorosa" target="_blank"><b>Castello di Amorosa</b></a></div><div>Twitter:&nbsp;@TheCastello</div><div>Business Hours:</div><div><ul><li>9:30 to 6 p.m. (March to October)</li><li>9:30 to 5 p.m. (November to February)</li></ul></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/h4LuDucmYm8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/castello-di-amorosa-castiloga-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-51836327279092756262016-12-10T18:05:00.001+08:002017-09-25T05:03:48.682+08:00Gourmet Burgers at Gott's Roadside in St. Helena<div style="text-align: justify;">Burgers are everywhere in America! California is no different. Where I live at in Stockton, there's In-N-Out, Jack in the Box, Super Burger, Burger King, Squeeze Burger, Melo's Burger, Flip's Burger, McDonald's, Kosmos Burger, Jollibee, Moo Moo's Burger Barn and a lot more. <br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><h2>Gott's Roadside Gourmet Burgers&nbsp;</h2></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I went with family to Napa Valley, we tried out a unique burger joint in St. Helena. We noticed people queuing up for the burgers at <b>Gott's Roadside</b> on our way to Calistoga and thought about how good that might be when people don't mind the long lines to get their burger fix. Or it could be one of the cheaper meal options where everything else seems so expensive. Unknown to me, this was already my sister's favorite from her many visits to <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/first-foray-into-napa-valley-california.html" target="_blank">Napa Valley</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yh9yFT3n6iw/Wcgc9wt-OfI/AAAAAAAALTg/XtMG6fubFOsjTrrSqjypBkoR0kUnL5AIgCLcBGAs/s1600/kimchi%2Bburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="kimchi burger" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yh9yFT3n6iw/Wcgc9wt-OfI/AAAAAAAALTg/XtMG6fubFOsjTrrSqjypBkoR0kUnL5AIgCLcBGAs/s640/kimchi%2Bburger.jpg" title="Gott's Roadside Gourmet Burgers" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimchi burger</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The open air atmosphere itself is a welcome thing. Open air dining in a rural setting as opposed to air conditioned burger joints in congested urban areas. They have a decent size parking lot that I'm sure would be hard to get a spot during certain times of the day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">The Menu&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, burgers dominate the menu at <b>Gott's Roadside Gourmet Burgers</b>. Other sections in their menu offer salads, fries, onion rings, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, hotdogs, soups and chili, and seafood. For our meal, we ordered <i>kimchi</i> burger, sweet potato fries, bacon cheeseburger, and cheeseburger.&nbsp;</div><br /><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Kimchi Burger&nbsp;</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Burger with a Korean flavor. 1/3 pound patty with fried egg, <i>kimchi, </i>American cheese, bacon, and spicy gochujang mayo in a lightly toasted egg bun. This one is spicy.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><br />Bacon Cheeseburger&nbsp;</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">The bacon cheeseburger is as American as it could get: 1/3 pound beef patty, lettuce, bacon, American cheese, tomatoes, pickles, and <b>Gott's</b> secret sauce in a lightly toasted egg bun.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Cheeseburger&nbsp;</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Just a basic cheeseburger with 1/3 pound beef patty, lettuce, American cheese, tomatoes pickles, and <b>Gott's</b> secret sauce.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other burgers in the menu are the California burger, western bacon blue ring burger, blue cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, Texas avocado burger, Wisconsin sourdough burger, green chile burger, and a regular hamburger.</div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Sweet Potato Fries</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">Fries at <b>Gott's</b> come in 4 varieties: the regular fries, garlic fries, chili cheese fries, and sweet potato fries. We ordered the sweet potato fries. While the menu says it was chili spice-dusted, I found no hint of spice. Instead this was a sweet one probably made using yam (well, they say it's sweet potato).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><h3>Other Gott's Locations</h3><div><b>Gott's Roadside Gourmet Burgers</b> has several other locations outside of St. Helena. Information on it's branches are as follows:</div><div><br /></div><h4>St. Helena&nbsp;</h4><div>933 Main Street, St. Helena, California, USA 94574</div><div>Telephone: 707 963 3486</div><div>Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.</div><div>Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div><h4>Napa&nbsp;</h4><div>Oxbow Public Market</div><div>644 1st Street, Napa, California, USA 94559</div><div>Telephone: 707 224 6900</div><div>Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.</div><div>Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div><h4>Palo Alto&nbsp;</h4><div>Town and Country Village</div><div>855 El Camino Real #65, Palo Alto, California, USA 94301</div><div>Telephone: 650 326 1000</div><div>Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.</div><div>Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div><h4>San Francisco</h4><div>Ferry Building Marketplace</div><div>1 Ferry Building # 6, San Francisco, California, USA 94111</div><div>Telephone: 415 318 3423</div><div>Business hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div><div>Soft serve hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.</div><div><br /></div><div>Website: <a href="http://www.gotts.com/" target="_blank"><b>Gott's Roadside</b></a></div><div>Instagram:&nbsp;<b>@gottsroadside</b></div><div>Twitter:&nbsp;<b>@gottsroadside</b></div><div>Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/GottsRoadside" target="_blank"><b>Gott's Roadside</b></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/nNp_sGT2YXQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/gotts-roadside-gourmet-burgers-california-usa.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-76227442530178939972016-12-09T06:43:00.000+08:002017-10-30T17:19:45.617+08:00Napa Valley: My First Visit to California Wine Country<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Napa Valley</b> is a world-renowned wine-making region in California. My siblings frequent the place ever since they came to America. I had my first visit to <b>Napa Valley</b> in late November 2016. That's about 5 months after I arrived to resettle.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">My First Trip to Napa Valley</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">I joined 3 of my siblings and the family of my brother on my first trip to <b>Napa Valley</b>. This particular trip took us to <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/castello-di-amorosa-castiloga-california-usa.html" target="_blank">Castello di Amorosa</a>, the <b>Napa Valley</b> welcome sign, <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/gotts-roadside-gourmet-burgers-california-usa.html" target="_blank">Gott's Roadside</a>, and the Culinary Institute of America.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Napa Valley Welcome Sign&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">The first thing we ever did when we got to <b>Napa Valley</b> was take a family picture at the <b>Napa Valley</b> Welcome Sign in Calistoga. The sign says: "Welcome to this world famous wine growing region, <b>Napa Valley</b>". On the replica barrel top to one side reads a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson: "..and the wine is bottled poetry..."</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIlRgHvqcbU/WcggBqTknDI/AAAAAAAALT8/kH2jophvgnw4xsBMVVjd9Zk8i3KRU7HzgCLcBGAs/s1600/21617501_10155124929628095_8723007248923552769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Napa Valley welcome sign in Calistoga" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIlRgHvqcbU/WcggBqTknDI/AAAAAAAALT8/kH2jophvgnw4xsBMVVjd9Zk8i3KRU7HzgCLcBGAs/s640/21617501_10155124929628095_8723007248923552769_n.jpg" title="Napa Valley in California" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napa Valley welcome sign</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Many tourists visiting the region stop by this sign to take pictures. It can well be one of Napa Valley's most photographed locations.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Castello di Amorosa&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">Right across the welcome sign is Castello di Amorosa. It is one of the more popular areas visited by tourists in&nbsp;<b><a href="https://www.napavalley.com/" target="_blank">Napa Valley</a></b>. Aside from being a major wine producer, Castello di Amorosa was also built to be a tourist attraction.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of its main features is the medieval castle surrounded by a humongous grape plantation. Castello di Amorosa literally means "castle of love" in Italian. We did a quick tour of the castle. Then we spent most of our time at the wine tasting room consuming some 10 glasses of wine each.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tD4_XPBO-KU/Wcge9E-KLgI/AAAAAAAALT0/D8i_0dhGK207bIK7pokMpw4oBP1C4PtQQCEwYBhgL/s1600/21616392_10155124929398095_2653367617157814272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Great Hall of Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tD4_XPBO-KU/Wcge9E-KLgI/AAAAAAAALT0/D8i_0dhGK207bIK7pokMpw4oBP1C4PtQQCEwYBhgL/s640/21616392_10155124929398095_2653367617157814272_n.jpg" title="Napa Valley in California" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Hall at Castello di Amorosa</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Culinary Institute of America</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">Napa Valley is not just a world famous wine growing region. It is also acclaimed as one of the culinary hot spots in California. It's no surprise why the <a href="https://www.ciachef.edu/cia-california/" target="_blank">Culinary Institute of America</a> established 2 campuses in <b>Napa</b> and St. Helena. Within the St. Helena Campus is Greystone Restaurant, Spice Islands Marketplace, the Bakery Cafe by Illy, and Vintner's Hall of Fame. We really did not get to explore the CIA at Greystone as it was getting dark when we got there. So we contented ourselves taking pictures of the grandiose exterior.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Gott's Roadside Burgers at St. Helena</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">Before we went home from that short trip, we stopped by <a href="http://gotts.com/" target="_blank">Gott's Roadside</a>. Gott's Roadside caught our attention earlier in the day when we passed it and there were multitudes of people in line. When people line up for something, it must be something really good. We ordered kimchi burger, bacon cheeseburger, the regular cheeseburger, and sweet potato fries for dinner.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yh9yFT3n6iw/Wcgc9wt-OfI/AAAAAAAALTg/CjwZIRPMC-IACY-OUtYG-3CrtkUGfmY2QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/kimchi%2Bburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Gott's Roadside burger in Napa Valley" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yh9yFT3n6iw/Wcgc9wt-OfI/AAAAAAAALTg/CjwZIRPMC-IACY-OUtYG-3CrtkUGfmY2QCPcBGAYYCw/s640/kimchi%2Bburger.jpg" title="Napa Valley" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimchi burger from Gott's Roadside</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you visited <b>Napa Valley</b> in California? How was your experience? You may tell us in the comments below. We would love to hear from you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/JTl5s60n7lI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2016/12/first-foray-into-napa-valley-california.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-47520571160924251522016-11-28T19:12:00.000+08:002017-09-29T05:31:28.538+08:00I Fell in Love With In-N-Out Burger<div style="text-align: justify;">Before <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/08/touristhadz-coming-to-america.html" target="_blank">I came to America</a>, I have heard my Filipino-American friends rave about <b>In-N-Out Burger </b>quite a bit. I kept this in mind and I felt that this has to be one of the first few things on the list when I finally settle in my new home country. It wasn't the first burger I tasted in America though. The first was <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/11/jack-in-the-box-burger-restaurant.html" target="_blank">Jack in the Box</a>.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">In-N-Out Burger</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">To date, I read that all <b>In-N-Out Burger</b> stores are still company-owned and not one is franchised. They are largely popular in California where I now live. As of this writing they have a total of 321 stores scattered in the states of California (231), Arizona (30), Nevada (17), Oregon (1), Texas (32), and Utah (10). 3 more stores are also slated to open soon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The <b>In-N-Out</b> menu is a very simple one. There's not too many items and it focuses mainly on burgers, fries, and beverages(mostly shakes). We ordered the protein-style double double cheeseburger, a standard double double cheeseburger, and French fries.<br /><br /><h4>French Fries&nbsp;</h4><div>If there is one thing I particularly liked at <b>In-N-Out</b>, it has to be the French fries. I saw it made through the glass window by the drive-thru. They cut the potatoes in the store. I can really say that there is a huge difference from French fries from other burger stores. I recommend though that you gotta eat these fries fresh right after you order it. It becomes hard after a time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XLJEP91Fgw/Wc1npnPf9CI/AAAAAAAALYk/t5ZvxoDpoO0tP7xeTrY6G3gDbVCi8fQqACEwYBhgL/s1600/CAF2DC06-348F-4792-825E-86308BCD3562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="French fries" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0XLJEP91Fgw/Wc1npnPf9CI/AAAAAAAALYk/t5ZvxoDpoO0tP7xeTrY6G3gDbVCi8fQqACEwYBhgL/s640/CAF2DC06-348F-4792-825E-86308BCD3562.jpg" title="In-N-Out Burger" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French fries</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><h4>Double Double Cheeseburger&nbsp;</h4><div>The double double cheeseburger looks like the ultimate burger one can order at <b>In-N-Out Burger</b>. That is when you are unaware of the 4x4 which has 4 burger patties and 4 slices of American cheese stacked on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and onions. The double double cheeseburger is a sandwich with 2 patties, 2 slices of American cheese, tomato, lettuce, and onions if you want it. Just the double double is a heavy meal. I would love to try the 4x4. But boy, I must really be hungry to have that.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFmwGmrhC3w/Wc1npyJdPbI/AAAAAAAALYo/HrkRMx5o3h4iY_qpwbhMxM0yHaL1sp8aQCEwYBhgL/s1600/173BF289-1355-4B30-9B55-AE321094E21B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="cheeseburger" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFmwGmrhC3w/Wc1npyJdPbI/AAAAAAAALYo/HrkRMx5o3h4iY_qpwbhMxM0yHaL1sp8aQCEwYBhgL/s640/173BF289-1355-4B30-9B55-AE321094E21B.jpg" title="In-N-Out Burger" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double-double cheeseburger</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4>Protein Style Burgers&nbsp;</h4><div>For those who wish to stay away from the carbohydrate-loaded burger buns, they have the option to order a protein-style burger. It is practically the same burger but wrapped in lettuce instead of the burger buns. Oh, I love lettuce! I can have this everyday.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CK1ULyttT0U/Wc1npwtbOkI/AAAAAAAALYs/re7Cq1n5kx4jFYALrR8OihrHc2UrJuHbQCEwYBhgL/s1600/D73990BB-FDFD-4817-9407-ECBA7D58CF3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="protein-style burger" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CK1ULyttT0U/Wc1npwtbOkI/AAAAAAAALYs/re7Cq1n5kx4jFYALrR8OihrHc2UrJuHbQCEwYBhgL/s640/D73990BB-FDFD-4817-9407-ECBA7D58CF3A.jpg" title="In-N-Out Burger" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protein-style burger</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Other good stuff they sell at <b>In-N-Out</b> are shakes made from real ice cream, standard hamburgers, and a small selection of soda, juice, and iced tea. One can also ask for the 4x4 burger, 3x3 burger, have cheese on their sandwich grilled, or order the animal style burger which is but the standard burger with a lot of extra condiments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In-N-Out</b> takes pride in making their burger patties only from real beef. They claim to make their own patties from their plants in Baldwin Park and Lathrop in California and in Dallas, Texas. Lettuce is hand-leafed. Potatoes are delivered from farms directly to their stores. They use fresh onions and tomatoes. And they claim to not even have microwave ovens, heat lamps, and freezers in their stores.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h3>More Information&nbsp;</h3><div>For more information about <b>In-N-Out Burger</b>, it is best to visit the <a href="http://www.in-n-out.com/" target="_blank"><b>In-N-Out Burger</b> website</a> or the <b>In-</b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/innout" target="_blank"><b>N-Out Burger</b> Facebook page</a>.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/QP5Ut193r-8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2016/11/in-n-out-burger-restaurant.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-38204647058782941932016-11-27T20:40:00.001+08:002017-09-29T05:43:53.499+08:00Jack in the Box: First Burger I Tried in America<div style="text-align: justify;">Burgers are a staple in American cuisine. So when <a href="http://www.ustravels.com/2016/08/touristhadz-coming-to-america.html" target="_blank">I arrived in the United States of America</a>, I knew that it would only be a matter of time when I would have my very first burger in the United States. Of course, I have tried burgers from American stores with a presence in the Philippines such as <a href="http://www.aroundphilippines.com/2016/04/burger-king-philippines.html" target="_blank">Burger King</a>, McDonald's, and <a href="http://www.aroundphilippines.com/2016/03/foodpanda-delivery-from-wendys.html" target="_blank">Wendy's</a>.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"> Jack in the Box</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">My very first taste of burger in America was from a <b>Jack in the Box</b>&nbsp;store located within a Chevron gas station very close to my new home in Stockton, California. We ordered the Sourdough Jack sandwich, a Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger, a Bacon and Cheese Buttery Jack Sandwich, and an Ultimate Cheeseburger.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwdScP8xBwg/Wc1rdOME4LI/AAAAAAAALZI/XupX1Z4mdpQVBoqfBalAf4qqhjtf7SC1gCEwYBhgL/s1600/CFC2686C-05B2-4A75-A4E2-F26B8BA29921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Jack in the Box" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OwdScP8xBwg/Wc1rdOME4LI/AAAAAAAALZI/XupX1Z4mdpQVBoqfBalAf4qqhjtf7SC1gCEwYBhgL/s640/CFC2686C-05B2-4A75-A4E2-F26B8BA29921.jpg" title="Jack in the Box" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jack in the Box</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><h4>Sourdough Jack&nbsp;</h4><div>Sourdough Jack is beef burger patty, bacon, cheese, ketchup, and mayonnaise on lightly toasted sourdough bread. Nothing really fancy.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Lc9PLTPikQ/Wc1rcJN9y3I/AAAAAAAALY4/kH-pjL0wk5Y26vSZO_WoiVluAOxVyNL3QCEwYBhgL/s1600/2A446B4E-7950-4A20-8C6A-5E2BD04550DE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sourdough Jack" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Lc9PLTPikQ/Wc1rcJN9y3I/AAAAAAAALY4/kH-pjL0wk5Y26vSZO_WoiVluAOxVyNL3QCEwYBhgL/s640/2A446B4E-7950-4A20-8C6A-5E2BD04550DE.jpg" title="Jack in the Box" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sourdough Jack</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4>Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger&nbsp;</h4><div>3 slices of bacon, 2 beef patties, 2 kinds of cheese, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup all in one burger sandwich. Sounds good? That is the&nbsp;Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RkMStCCqmY/Wc1rcGxqfyI/AAAAAAAALY8/1uD9YHjjNooYnUlxPwnZLNPyfIvsTlBcwCEwYBhgL/s1600/88CC328B-D73B-4696-9ABF-E5BF4403BC1E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bacon ultimate cheeseburger" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RkMStCCqmY/Wc1rcGxqfyI/AAAAAAAALY8/1uD9YHjjNooYnUlxPwnZLNPyfIvsTlBcwCEwYBhgL/s640/88CC328B-D73B-4696-9ABF-E5BF4403BC1E.jpg" title="Jack in the Box" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon ultimate cheeseburger</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><h4>Bacon and Cheese Buttery Jack&nbsp;</h4><div>We had a choice of the Classic Buttery &nbsp;or &nbsp;Bacon and Cheese Buttery Jack. You bet, it's the bacon that made the choice easier. This one's got a bigger patty than the other sandwiches we ordered. And a weird looking bun as well.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amHM6pDWlH4/Wc1rcnro8BI/AAAAAAAALZE/MXImS_oEOcMDvVPWTp8_VndEm5Oihwd2wCEwYBhgL/s1600/C39E98DE-A020-4D17-BB22-5254F356D6AA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bacon and cheese buttery Jack" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amHM6pDWlH4/Wc1rcnro8BI/AAAAAAAALZE/MXImS_oEOcMDvVPWTp8_VndEm5Oihwd2wCEwYBhgL/s640/C39E98DE-A020-4D17-BB22-5254F356D6AA.jpg" title="Jack in the Box" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon and cheese buttery Jack</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><h4>Ultimate Cheeseburger</h4><div>2 beef burger patties, 2 kinds of cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup. Pretty standard for &nbsp;a cheeseburger.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDQJTZovl7c/Wc1rcFSg6VI/AAAAAAAALZA/sBL0UxC2hbQaeBFfjAC-FIFuyG6aa1m1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/7A2C4E97-1DBD-4FDE-B482-9F601AA9E0A3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ultimate cheeseburger" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DDQJTZovl7c/Wc1rcFSg6VI/AAAAAAAALZA/sBL0UxC2hbQaeBFfjAC-FIFuyG6aa1m1wCEwYBhgL/s640/7A2C4E97-1DBD-4FDE-B482-9F601AA9E0A3.jpg" title="Jack in the Box" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultimate cheeseburger</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Personal Verdict</h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Presentation. </b>7/10. They all look messy compared to what you see on the menu photo. Oh well, that's usually common in any restaurant.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Taste. </b>7.5/10. The sandwiches from Burger King in the Philippines definitely taste better. My siblings primed me to lower my expectation before I took my first bite. It turns out it was better than they suggested though.</div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Would I Come Back? </b>Yes! Largely because this is the burger joint closest to home. And, it ain't bad really. Plus they have the buy one, get one promo on their Jumbo Jacks and Supreme Croissants in exchange for customer feedback.<br /><br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">More About Jack in the Box</h3><div>Website: <a href="https://www.jackinthebox.com/" target="_blank"><b>Jack in the Box</b></a></div><div>Social Media Pages:</div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jackinthebox" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/JackBox" target="_blank">Twitter Profile</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jackinthebox/" target="_blank">Instagram Profile</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/jackinthebox" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a></li></ul></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/vyOS18n8bvk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2016/11/jack-in-the-box-burger-restaurant.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1357473888539499828.post-82333031631181871162016-10-19T17:53:00.000+08:002017-10-30T17:19:17.451+08:00Joe's Pomodoro Pizza Cafe: Pizza Buffet in Stockton<div style="text-align: justify;">On a late Monday morning in October 2016, I accompanied my brother when he went to get his haircut done at Annie's Salon along Pershing Avenue in northern Stockton. After his haircut was done and when we were about to drive out of Pershing Plaza, a sign caught our attention: a buffet for USD 5.95. It was about 11 a.m. and we had not eaten breakfast. So that sign seemed to scream at us and we heeded.</div><br /><br /><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-8732175222425956" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-slot="6639014838" style="display: block; text-align: center;"></ins><script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Joe's Pomodoro Pizza Cafe&nbsp;</h2><div style="text-align: justify;">The lunch&nbsp;buffet at<b> Joe's Pomodoro Pizza Cafe</b> is from their opening hour at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. The cost is USD 5.95 plus tax (total of USD 6.49) for all you can eat salad and pizza. If you want unlimited drinks on the soda fountain to come with pizza and salad, that would be USD 8.12 per person including taxes.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXPK0K66t4M/Wc1tjssiM5I/AAAAAAAALZU/gHZgw1o4Dn0HKQunUU3Qus1BHqx1krYpwCEwYBhgL/s1600/21686267_10155124928463095_5213408230646304869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="My first plate" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXPK0K66t4M/Wc1tjssiM5I/AAAAAAAALZU/gHZgw1o4Dn0HKQunUU3Qus1BHqx1krYpwCEwYBhgL/s640/21686267_10155124928463095_5213408230646304869_n.jpg" title="Buffet at Joe's Pomodoro Pizza" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first serving</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Location and Contact Information&nbsp;</h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Joe's Pomodoro Pizza Cafe</b> is right beside Annie's Salon at Pershing Plaza. Complete business address is 5654 North Pershing Avenue, Stockton, California, USA 95207. Telephone number is (209) 477 2900 while fax number is (209) 477 6435. E-mail address is jpomodoropizza@gmail.com. The cafe also has a <a href="http://www.joespomodoropizza.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Joes-Pomodoro-Pizza-Cafe-117359123249/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. Business hours is from 11 a.m. to 9.p.m. from Sundays to Thursdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, the operating hours is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Buffet</h3><div style="text-align: justify;">The selection on the buffet is not really that varied. There's just a salad bar and of course, a pizza section.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIacVRvnpYA/Wc1tjj85-HI/AAAAAAAALZY/091XsV2cfzsjkMRImLRVeY_W6vzCkhXpACEwYBhgL/s1600/21751334_10155124928908095_5021900585250513026_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="My second serving" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIacVRvnpYA/Wc1tjj85-HI/AAAAAAAALZY/091XsV2cfzsjkMRImLRVeY_W6vzCkhXpACEwYBhgL/s640/21751334_10155124928908095_5021900585250513026_n.jpg" title="Buffet at Joe's Pomodoro Pizza" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My second serving</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Salad Bar&nbsp;</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">The salad bar is a create-your-own salad plate section. It had corn kernels, young sweet corn, olives, bread sticks, greens, boiled eggs, potato salad, macaroni salad, croutons, red onions, blue cheese, Italian dressing, ranch dressing, thousand islands dressing, and Caesar's dressing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROye4Dvpj0I/Wc1tjoDEnCI/AAAAAAAALZc/mu1gXPR0CDUffoonlrl0_KlA4uIkH8LkwCEwYBhgL/s1600/21687881_10155124927778095_7487684598158180238_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="salad" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROye4Dvpj0I/Wc1tjoDEnCI/AAAAAAAALZc/mu1gXPR0CDUffoonlrl0_KlA4uIkH8LkwCEwYBhgL/s640/21687881_10155124927778095_7487684598158180238_n.jpg" title="Buffet at Joe's Pomodoro Pizza" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My salad plate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: justify;">Pizza</h4><div style="text-align: justify;">There were about seven kinds of pizza served in the <b>Joe's Pomodoro Pizza&nbsp;</b>buffet. Some of these were: combination signature pizza, creamy garlic chicken pizza, pepperoni pizza, Hawaiian BBQ chicken pizza, and two types of cheese pizza. I finished about five slices for lunch and boy, I was really full.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join us in our adventures at http://www.ustravels.com</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UsTravels/~4/bWBdopVb-1I" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thaddeau II Engalinghttps://plus.google.com/110019910260988309167noreply@blogger.com0http://www.ustravels.com/2016/10/joes-pomodoro-pizza-cafe-stockton-ca.html